Philippine Basketball Throwback

When the Alaska Aces swept Barangay Ginebra in the 2013 PBA Commissioner’s Cup Finals, they not only secured their 14th championship but also wrote the final glorious chapter of their storied PBA legacy. What made this victory even more remarkable was the path they took to get there—an incredible turnaround from one of the worst seasons in franchise history to becoming champions once again. This is the story of how Alaska rebuilt, retooled, and reclaimed their place among the PBA elite. The Struggles of the 2011-2012 Season The Alaska Aces entered the 2011-2012 season facing a major identity crisis. Legendary coach Tim Cone had departed to take over B-MEG (now Magnolia), ending an era defined by stability, discipline, and success. Alaska tapped Joel Banal as head coach and drafted Gilas standout Mac Baracael with the 6th overall pick, hoping to turn the page. Unfortunately, the transition proved difficult. In the Philippine Cup, the Aces managed only three wins in 11 games, finishing...

  In front of a packed Araneta Coliseum crowd and with the championship on the line, Denzel Bowles found himself standing at the free throw line with just seconds remaining. The pressure was immense. The stakes couldn’t be higher. What happened next would be remembered as one of the most dramatic turning points in PBA Finals history. But to truly appreciate the magnitude of that moment, we need to rewind the clock. A Season of Redemption for B-MEG After a heartbreaking exit at the hands of Powerade in the 2011-2012 Philippine Cup Quarterfinals, B-MEG entered the Commissioner’s Cup under new head coach Tim Cone with one goal: redemption. As the league allowed teams to sign foreign reinforcements for the mid-season tournament, B-MEG tapped 6-foot-10 power forward Denzel Bowles out of James Madison University. Bowles came in with strong college numbers— 17.6 PPG, 8.8 RPG, and 1.6 BPG —and a brief European stint in Lithuania with BC Siauliai. His impact was immediate. Despite earl...

In the rich history of the Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) , very few players have managed to dominate the league across different teams and eras. Even fewer have earned the prestigious Most Valuable Player (MVP) award multiple times —and with multiple franchises . These legendary athletes not only showcased individual brilliance but also adapted to different systems, teammates, and coaching philosophies. Let’s celebrate the elite club of PBA players who won multiple MVPs with multiple teams , highlighting their best seasons, accomplishments, and legacies. 1. Bogs Adornado – 3x MVP (Crispa, U/Tex) MVP Years : 1975, 1976 (Crispa), 1981 (U/Tex) Best Season : 1975 – 26.96 PPG, 3.45 RPG, 2.39 APG Bogs Adornado was the first-ever PBA MVP , and he quickly proved he was no fluke. Winning back-to-back MVPs in the league's inaugural seasons with Crispa , he was the go-to scorer of the Redmanizers. After recovering from a serious injury, Adornado completed a triumphant r...

In the storied history of the Philippine Basketball Association (PBA), few championship runs were as meticulously built and emotionally rewarding as Coca-Cola’s maiden title in 2002. From the early struggles of the Pop Cola Panthers to the rise of the Coca-Cola Tigers, this is the inspiring journey of how a franchise went from perennial underachievers to champions—fueled by strategic trades, seasoned leadership, and a whole lot of heart. ___________________________________________________________________________________ The Foundation Year: Pop Cola’s Growing Pains in 2000 (Left to Right: Assistant Coach Biboy Ravanes, Jojo Lastimosa, Pop Cola Head Coach Chot Reyes) The journey began in the 2000 season when Chot Reyes took over as head coach of the Pop Cola Panthers. Known for his tactical mind and player development skills, Reyes quickly went to work reshaping the roster. That year, the team traded for veteran Jojo Lastimosa and Rhoel Gomez, while also signing Estong Ballesteros i...

In one of the most unforgettable moments in Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) history, Bal David etched his name into Ginebra lore with an off-balanced, buzzer-beating bank shot that sent shockwaves through the league—and top-seeded Mobiline packing. The 1999 PBA All-Filipino Cup Quarterfinals witnessed an improbable Cinderella story unfold. Barangay Ginebra, barely clinging to a playoff spot, defied all odds and expectations by stunning the No. 1 seed Mobiline Phone Pals in a dramatic two-game quarterfinal series, capped by one of the most iconic game-winners in league history. A Season of Transition for Ginebra (Left, Rino Salazar ; Right, Robert Jaworski) (Left, Marlou Aquino and Bal David ; Right, Noli Locsin holding the ball) Ginebra entered the 1999 season in transition. The iconic Robert Jaworski , the franchise’s heart and soul, had retired as playing coach. His departure marked the end of an era. Longtime assistant Rino Salazar took over as head coach, inheriting a te...

When you talk about the greatest draft classes in Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) history, one year towers above the rest: the 2004 PBA Draft . Often hailed by fans and analysts alike as the most talent-rich top 5 in league history, this iconic class produced league MVPs, multiple-time champions, and household names who helped define an era of Filipino basketball. Let’s break down why the Top 5 Picks of the 2004 PBA Draft remain the gold standard nearly two decades later. 1. Rich Alvarez – #1 Pick by Shell Rich Alvarez entered the league as the top overall pick and lived up to expectations by capturing the 2004–05 Rookie of the Year award. Known for his relentless energy and elite defensive instincts, Alvarez made an immediate impact and was also named to the All-Rookie and All-Defensive Teams in his debut season. While his offensive stats—such as 8.8 points and 6.4 rebounds per game in his best year—weren’t headline-grabbing, his contributions were vital to team succe...

The Sta. Lucia Realtors’ path to their final PBA championship in the 2007–2008 Philippine Cup is one of the most compelling rebuild stories in league history. From a cellar-dwelling franchise to PBA champions in just two seasons, the team’s journey was built on patience, smart decision-making, and the resilience of a team that refused to stay down. A Rocky Start: The 2005–2006 Season (Sta. Lucia Realtor's center Marlou Aquino drives for a shot against Air21's Shawn Daniels) The 2005–2006 season marked the beginning of Sta. Lucia’s rebuild. Struggling throughout the year, they finished with an overall record of 12-25—the worst in the league. Despite short-lived appearances in the Wildcard rounds of both the Fiesta and Philippine Cups, the team was never truly competitive. However, their last-place finish earned them the number one pick in the upcoming 2006 PBA Draft, giving the franchise a glimmer of hope for a fresh start. Drafting the Future: The 2006–2007 Season (Sta. Luci...