Hawaii basketball: Rainbow Warriors play ‘Fabulous’ in defeat of San Francisco

The Hawaii men’s basketball team made it a season-long emphasis to honor its past — more so than usual, being that it was the 100th season of Rainbow Warrior hoops.

While every home game to this point has had an honorary captain from the past (including some very recent players), Friday night’s game against San Francisco was special in that regard.

Four members of the “Fabulous Five” — John Penebacker, Bob Nash, Dwight Holiday and Jerome Freeman — plus three other players on those teams were on hand to be honored before the game, appearing next to the modern ‘Bows on the team bench. At halftime, they were presented in front of standing and cheering fans. The other three players were Artie Wilson, Jim Wienstroer and Dennis Sallas. The fifth member of the Fabulous Five, Al Davis, was unavailable to make the game but has appeared at other get-togethers in the recent past.

UH played inspired against previously unbeaten San Francisco, dealing the Dons an 85-75 defeat.

They did the old-timers proud, shooting 50.9 percent from the floor (52.9 percent from 3) and slowing the run-and-gun Dons to a manageable pace. The Fab Five was used to controlling things at home, going 37-1 at the Blaisdell in 1970-71 and 1971-72 in making the NIT and NCAA Tournaments.

“It just makes you want to give your all to the university because you know that they gave their all before you,” said point guard Drew Buggs, who registered a career-high 25 points and six assists before fouling out. “There are plenty of teams that have done the same. So we just wanted to continue to carry on that legacy.

“Just having them there means a lot, people who helped lay that foundation and build this program up to what it is. You want to give everything, you want to give your all for it.”

#HawaiiMBB point guard Drew Buggs and acting coach Chris Gerlufsen talk about the “Fabulous Five” era players honored at Friday night’s game. pic.twitter.com/064v5ySZjR

— Hawaii Warrior World (@hawaiiwworld) November 30, 2019

Chris Gerlufsen, the acting head coach who hadn’t been a part of the program until two months before the season started, did his homework.

“We wouldn’t be here without them and we strive to be like they were like,” Gerlufsen said. “That was inspiring for us to have them in attendance and hopefully we can get them back more often.”

At least one member of the Fabulous Five addressed the team during the team’s pregame shootaround, and they were to share a meal with the current players after the win.

#HawaiiMBB shot 52.9% from 3 (9-17) against San Francisco, surprising the Dons.

Zigmars Raimo weighed in on hitting the first triple of his career and Drew Buggs (3-6) trying his 3s high. pic.twitter.com/FqLEdUQZkx

— Hawaii Warrior World (@hawaiiwworld) November 30, 2019

UH resumes play against Hawaii Pacific at 5 p.m. Sunday.

Not to be forgotten, the Rainbow Wahine basketball team was in action as well Friday. But they came up short in a 66-60 loss to North Texas in what was expected to be their most manageable game of this weekend’s three-day Heineken Showdown. They continue play against No. 12 North Carolina State at 2:30 today.