At center, he was a consistent ace shooter and did a remarkable sniping job for the Espana-based dribblers in their Universities Athletic Association of the Philippines (UAAP) exploits.

Mentored by Ignacio "Ning" Ramos, Adornado joined efforts with Ernesto Estrada, Rosario Martires, Marte Samson, Manny Paner, Johnny Revilla, and Rodolfo Soriano to clinch the tournament's championship after sweeping all their 6 games.

From then on, Adornado would become a mainstay for the Philippine national teams that competed for basketball supremacy in Asia, Olympics, and the World.

He was a key contributor in winning back the gold (after a silver finish in 1971) for the Philippines in the 1973 Asian Basketball Confederation Championships held in Manila.

With Papa shooting the lights out from 30 to 35 feet, and Florencio's magical penetrating moves under the basket, Adornado provided a steady presence with his calculated jumpers from medium range as Crispa would win the 1971 MICAA All-Filipino crown at the expense of the San Miguel Braves.

One of the pioneers of the Philippine Basketball Association when the league was formed in 1975, Adornado began his professional career with powerhouse Crispa Redmanizers under legendary coach Virgilio "Baby" Dalupan.

On April 27, 1975, marked the PBA debut of the sweet shooting forward from Bicol, scoring 32 points to lead Crispa past Tanduay.

With Adornado leading the offensive juggernaut along with luminaries Philip Cezar and Atoy Co, Crispa won the '75 Invitational, preempting a Toyota grand slam in PBA's maiden season.

In the 1976 Open Conference, Adornado suffered a knee injury that forced him to miss action for the rest of the season and also the following year.

As he was slowly regaining his old form, Crispa won another championship at the expense of rival Toyota in the All Filipino Conference of the 1979 PBA season.

Teaming-up with Lim Eng Beng and reinforced by imports Aaron James and Glenn McDonald, led U/Tex to a memorable comeback win over the Toyota Tamaraws in the 1980 PBA Open Conference championship.

In 1981, Adornado won his third MVP award while powering the Wranglers to a runner-up finish in the 1981 Reinforced Conference finals against Crispa.

Teaming-up with prized Filipino-American (Fil-Am) rookie cager in Ricardo Brown instantly transformed Great Taste as a team to contend with.

In their first year playing together, the dynamic duo would power the Coffee Makers to two runner-up finishes against eventual grand slam winner Crispa while also being awarded spots on the Mythical 5.

In 1985, Adornado played for rookie team Shell Azodrin Bugbusters along with former Crispa teammates Philip Cezar and Bernie Fabiosa.

In a game against Beer Hausen, he became the 3rd player to reach the 10,000 point mark behind ex-Crispa teammate Atoy Co and Mon Fernandez.

With Adornado as the team's catalyst and primary offensive weapon, Shell made its first Finals appearance in its first PBA season against powerhouse Great Taste Coffee in the All-Filipino Conference.

Teaming-up with the famed Bruise Brothers tandem of Elpidio Villamin and Ricardo Relosa, Adornado helped the Coffee Kings to two runner-up finishes even as he was already showing signs of slowing down.

In 2000, he was named as one of the PBA's 25 greatest players of all time in elaborate awards ceremonies that highlighted the 25th anniversary of the league.

In 2005, Adornado was part of the twelve initial inductees to the PBA Hall of Fame alongside fellow Crispa players Atoy Co and Philip Cezar, and Toyota stalwarts Jaworski, Francis Arnaiz and Ramon Fernandez together with former PBA Commissioners Leo Prieto, Emerson Coseteng and Atty.

Rudy Salud as well as legendary Crispa coach and team manager, respectively, Virgilio "Baby" Dalupan and Danny Floro, and the late anchorman Joe Cantada.

"It's such a big honor to have the Comeback Player Award named after me," said Adornado, who overcame open surgery and a long and painful recuperation period to set history.

Gusto ko ako rin ang maging first option ng team (I would like to attain the status that he was able to reach.