Player Profile Series: Fortunato “Atoy” Co - The Fortune Cookie

The New York Knicks continued their impressive postseason run with another big win over the Boston Celtics, 121-113, at Madison Square Garden to take a commanding 3-1 lead in their Eastern Conference Semifinal series on Tuesday, May 13 (Philippine time).

With the victory, the Knicks are now just one win away from reaching the Eastern Conference Finals for the first time in over two decades.

Jalen Brunson once again played the role of floor general and go-to scorer, putting up an all-around masterclass with 39 points, 12 assists, and five rebounds. The Knicks star also knocked down four of his eight attempts from three-point range, fueling the team’s comeback effort after an early deficit.

Brunson didn’t have to do it alone. New York showed its depth, with three other players stepping up to provide key scoring support. Karl-Anthony Towns and Mikal Bridges each scored 23 markers, while OG Anunoby added 20. Towns also pulled down 11 boards, handed out a dime, and registered a block to cap off a strong two-way performance.

In the continuation of our Profile Series, we shine the spotlight on the first-ever four-time Most Valuable Player in the Philippine Basketball Association — and arguably the league’s greatest of all time — the legendary “El Presidente,” Ramon Fernandez.

Known for his elegant hook shot and unparalleled court vision, Fernandez took the league by storm with MVP wins in 1982, 1984, 1986, and 1988. Beyond individual accolades, he secured 19 championship titles in an illustrious career that spanned two decades.

Born on October 3, 1953, in Maasin, Leyte, Fernandez stood 6-foot-4 and played the center/forward position, but his game defied traditional roles. With the ball-handling of a guard and the mind of a tactician, he was the prototype of the modern big man — long before the game evolved to demand it.

Fernandez began his basketball journey at the University of San Carlos in Cebu. In 1972, he played for the San Miguel Braves in the Manila Industrial and Commercial Athletic Association (MICAA), then moved to the newly formed Komatsu Komets, who later became the iconic Toyota Comets.

By 1975, Toyota had joined the PBA as one of its nine founding teams, and Fernandez quickly became one of the league’s brightest stars. Alongside Robert Jaworski and Francis Arnáiz, he led Toyota to nine championships between 1975 and 1983. His 1982 MVP was earned during this era, solidifying his status as the team’s anchor.

After Toyota disbanded in 1984, Fernandez joined Beer Hausen and claimed his second MVP that same year. But the headlines weren’t just about basketball — his growing rift with former teammate Jaworski became one of the PBA’s most talked-about rivalries. Still, Fernandez continued to shine on the court, even though his team never made it to the top.

A midseason trade in 1985 sent him to Tanduay in exchange for another elite big man, Abet Guidaben. Teaming up with veterans and talented imports, Fernandez led Tanduay to three championships and secured his third MVP in 1986.

When Tanduay disbanded before the 1988 season, Purefoods acquired the franchise. Fernandez served briefly as a playing coach, guiding a young core that included Jerry Codiñera, Jojo Lastimosa, and Alvin Patrimonio. He led the team to the finals in the 1988 Open Conference but eventually handed off coaching duties mid-season. A controversial benching in the All-Filipino Finals that year led to a blockbuster trade — Fernandez to San Miguel, in exchange once again for Guidaben.

With San Miguel, Fernandez found the perfect ending chapter to his career. He won the 1988 Reinforced Conference, earned his fourth MVP, and played a key role in the Beermen’s historic 1989 Grand Slam. That same year, in the All-Star Game, he and Jaworski finally buried the hatchet with a handshake at center court — a moment orchestrated by coach Baby Dalupan that symbolized closure and mutual respect.

The New York Knicks pulled off another stunner against the defending champions, the Boston Celtics, in Game 2 of their Western Conference Semi-Final Series on Thursday, May 8 (PH time), at TD Garden, escaping with a nail-biting 91-90 win and taking a commanding 2-0 lead in the best-of-seven series.

Karl-Anthony Towns delivered a monster performance, finishing with a double-double of 21 points and 17 rebounds to lead the Knicks’ charge. He was ably supported by Josh Hart, who came up big with 23 markers, six rebounds, three assists, and two rejections. Jalen Brunson also played a key role with 17 points, three boards, seven dimes, and a crucial block down the stretch.

But the defining moment of the game came on the defensive end. With the Celtics threatening to steal the game in the dying seconds, it was Mikal Bridges who stepped up—his lockdown defense on Jayson Tatum forced a missed shot and a turnover in the closing seconds, effectively sealing the victory for New York. The gritty sequence underscored the Knicks’ resilience and poise under pressure.

On the Celtics’ side, Derrick White continued his consistent playoff form, leading his team with 20 points, nine rebounds, and five assists. Jaylen Brown also added 20 markers and six boards, providing much-needed firepower. Jayson Tatum posted a double-double with 13 points and 14 rebounds, alongside five assists, three steals, and a block—but his late-game fumble overshadowed what could have been a heroic outing.

Boston came out firing early, racing to a 24-13 lead after the first quarter and maintaining a seven-point cushion at halftime. The Celtics extended the gap to 10 heading into the final frame after another strong third-quarter showing.

But the Knicks refused to go away quietly. New York stormed back with a 30-17 run in the fourth quarter, flipping the script and silencing the TD Garden crowd. Their defensive grit, clutch execution, and balanced scoring proved too much for the Celtics, who now face the daunting task of stealing a win on the road to keep their title hopes alive.