From humble beginnings to being recognized as the 7th best Asian team and ranked 34 in the FIBA men’s basketball, Gilas Pilipinas is indeed raising the Philippine flag on the global stage. The Philippines is a basketball nation, with younger players showcasing their skills and talent hoping to be the country’s first ever homegrown NBA player.
But before this international recognition, who were the best players that paved the way to where the Philippine Basketball Association is now? Let’s give honor to the greatest Filipino basketball players who changed the game and brought pride to the national team during their time.
1. Robert Jaworski
To start off the list, the number one spot is well-deserved by none other than the Big J. Robert Jaworski remains one of the biggest names in Philippine basketball that even the younger generations still look up to today. He led his team to multiple championships such as the Red Warriors’ back-to-back championships, MICAA President’s Cup, and the ABC Men’s Championship to name a few. This pinoy basketball legend was known for his extraordinary defense skills, effectively guarding any opponent under double guard. Jaworski was 29 when the PBA was founded, and yet appeared in four All-Star Games – he was MVP in 1978.
2. Benjie Paras
If you’re familiar with the moniker “Tower of Power”, you also know that the one and only Benjie Paras took the MVP and Rookie of the Year awards under one season. From his college days to pro debut, Paras was a force to reckon with when it comes to his athleticism. Maybe our young basketball players may now know him as a comedian, Paras stays an icon in the history of Filipino basketball.
3. Atoy Co
Atoy Co also known as the Fortune Cookie may strike you as a comedian as well due to a few movie appearances. But this legend was a complete package in terms of his basketball skills, let alone his notable trademark – the turnaround fadeaway jump shot. Co was the first to score 5,000 points in 1979 and 10,000 points in 1984. Before he bid goodbye to his playing career, Co was named the 4th All-Time Scoring PBA player with 12,994 points.
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4. Alvin Patrimonio
Talking about numbers, Alvin Patrimonio delivered an awesome record during his time. Patrimonio played 596 consecutive games, scored a total of 15,091 points, made 6,000 rebounds, and brought home four MVP awards in his entire career. The Captain was also one of the most looked up to forwards, playing like a scoring machine with double-doubles. Indeed a legendary player with a lionheart that young PBA players could get inspiration from.
5. Ramon Fernandez
After winning 19 PBA Championships, Mon Fernandez was truly a basketball champion in Philippine history. With four MVP awards and an All-Time Scoring Leader record of 18,996 points, Fernandez showed that heart and hard-work go hand in hand for the sports he loved. This center-back could easily drive the ball, creating an opportunity for his team to score. He almost reached a triple-double, making him one of the best players that could lead a team no matter what.
The Future of Philippine Basketball
Many professional basketball leagues in the Philippines are seeing an increase in young players, a good sign for the sports that everybody loves. Not just that, a new pro league for women’s basketball is also helping to make the sports inclusive for everyone. With a stronger cooperation with other Asian basketball federations, expect further development in homegrown teams. The training process also benefits from modern technologies with support from the government.
Philippine basketball is timeless. Every basketball player who appeared in all the PBA seasons is worth honoring. The way they played, showed heart for the sports, and celebrated every championship – these legends deserve to be in the PH Sports Hall of Fame. From the legendary Big J to the youngest players of today like Kai Sotto, there is so much to look forward to.
Enjoy watching PBA games and other sports events with legit sportsbooks and win real money! Because for Filipinos, playing is best paired with excitement for every win. Philippine basketball has come so far, and new heroes are coming in to prove that the country is truly a basketball nation and will always be.
