Q: I know filthy rich hoopsters are a dime a dozen in the Philippine Basketball Association nowadays, but who was the first highest-paid cager in the PBA and how much was his salary then? - Adrian Javier, Caloocan City, Philippines

A: That would be Manuel “Manny” Paner. The 6′2″ center-forward became the highest-paid PBA cager in 1977 when he signed a four-year contract for Great Taste worth P8,000 a month. It also included a two-year salary advance worth P192,000 plus the use of a car.

Q: I love playing basketball but knows very little when it comes to defense. Anyway, can you tell me the difference between a ZONE DEFENSE and a MAN-TO-MAN DEFENSE? - Jo Mendoza, Cebu City

A: In a ZONE DEFENSE, each defending player is responsible for a certain area of the court. While playing zone, a defender keeps his attention on the movement of the ball and guards any opposing player who enters his zone. In a man-to-man defense, each defense guards a particular opponent and shadows that player wherever he goes, attempting to stay between him and the basket.