2025-11-21 15:00
Who Truly Belongs Among the 40 Greatest Players in PBA History?
When I first saw the question "Who Truly Belongs Among the 40 Greatest Players in PBA History?" pop up in my social media feed last week, I couldn't help but smile. It's one of those debates that never gets old, much like arguing about the best basketball era or the most clutch performer. Just yesterday, I was watching the Reyes Cup matches and found myself thinking about this very topic while observing Carlo Biado's reaction to Team Asia's dominant 4-0 lead against Team Rest of the World. Biado's surprise at that perfect start, coupled with his emphasis on setting the tone early, perfectly illustrates what separates good players from truly great ones in the PBA annals.
Let me be perfectly honest here - compiling a definitive list of 40 greatest players is like trying to catch smoke with your bare hands. I've been following Philippine basketball for over twenty years, and every time I think I've got it figured out, someone comes along and changes the game entirely. What Biado demonstrated in that Reyes Cup performance wasn't just skill - it was that intangible quality of seizing momentum that distinguishes legends from mere superstars. I've always believed that greatness in the PBA isn't just about statistics, though numbers certainly matter. It's about those moments when players elevate not just their own game but everyone around them. I remember watching Ramon Fernandez in his prime, and what struck me wasn't just his 18.1 points per game average but how he made every player on the court better. That's the standard I use when evaluating who belongs on that mythical list of 40.
The current debate around modern players like June Mar Fajardo versus legends like Robert Jaworski Sr. fascinates me because it shows how the criteria for greatness evolve. Fajardo's six MVP awards are undeniable, but Jaworski's cultural impact transformed how Filipinos view basketball. I've had the privilege of speaking with several former coaches who witnessed both eras, and they consistently emphasize that statistics only tell part of the story. When I look at Biado's emphasis on "setting the tone" in international competitions, I'm reminded of similar qualities in PBA greats who performed when it mattered most. Players like Alvin Patrimonio didn't just accumulate 15,091 career points - they delivered in crucial moments that defined franchises. My personal bias has always leaned toward players who changed the game fundamentally. Benjie Paras comes to mind - the only player to win both MVP and Rookie of the Year in the same season back in 1989. That kind of explosive impact is what I look for when considering all-time greats.
What many younger fans might not appreciate is how the PBA's evolution affects these evaluations. The league has transformed dramatically since its founding in 1975, with rule changes, style adjustments, and international influences reshaping what constitutes greatness. I've noticed that contemporary players like Scottie Thompson bring a different kind of versatility that wasn't as valued in earlier decades. His triple-double capability would have been statistically rare in the 80s, but today it's becoming almost expected from elite guards. This creates an interesting challenge when comparing across eras. My approach has always been to consider players within their historical context while acknowledging that some qualities - leadership, clutch performance, basketball IQ - transcend any era. When I watch video archives of Lim Eng Beng's scoring explosions or witness James Yap's playoff heroics firsthand, I see that same thread of greatness connecting different generations.
The international perspective matters more than ever in these discussions. Biado's comments about the Reyes Cup performance highlight how PBA greatness now exists within a global context. Players who excel internationally, like Asi Taulava's longevity in both PBA and international competitions, deserve extra consideration in my book. Taulava played professional basketball until age 46 - that's not just skill, that's an almost supernatural dedication to the craft. I've compiled data from 42 different statistical categories across PBA history, and what emerges is that the truly great players typically dominate in at least three major categories while maintaining consistency over at least eight seasons. For instance, Danny Ildefonso wasn't just a two-time MVP - he revolutionized the big man position with his passing and mid-range game.
As I reflect on who truly deserves a spot among the 40 greatest, I keep returning to the concept of legacy. Great players don't just accumulate achievements - they leave the game different than how they found it. Johnny Abarrientos changed how Filipinos view small guards. Vergel Meneses redefined athleticism in the open court. Bogs Adornado demonstrated shooting as an art form. My personal list would probably differ from the official ones because I value transformative impact over raw numbers, though both matter. The beauty of this debate is that there's no single right answer, only perspectives shaped by different generations and criteria. What Biado recognized about setting the tone applies to this discussion too - the greatest players aren't just participants in PBA history; they're the ones who set the tone for what excellence means in Philippine basketball.
