Bal David’s Off-Balanced Buzzer Beater Shocks Mobiline: Ginebra’s Historic 1999 PBA Upset



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 team that still had its veteran core—Marlou Aquino, Bal David, and Noli Locsin—but was struggling to find consistency.

They barely scraped into the playoffs as the 8th seed, surviving a do-or-die tiebreaker against Sta. Lucia. Few gave them a shot against Mobiline.

Mobiline: The Goliath of the 1999 Season

(Left to Right: Glen Capacio, Andy Seigle, Asi Taulava, Patrick Fran, Jeffrey Cariaso)

Mobiline, on the other hand, had been dominant for most of the elimination round, securing the top seed with an 11-5 record. Powered by a towering frontcourt of rookie sensation Asi Taulava and Andy Seigle, plus elite scorers like Jeffrey Cariaso, Al Solis, Glen Capacio, and Patrick Fran they were heavy favorites to make a title run.

But then, Ginebra happened.

Game 1: Ginebra Strikes First


In the opening game of the quarterfinals, Ginebra flipped the script. After a tight first half, they surged ahead in the second and never looked back, stunning Mobiline with a 77-67 victory. Noli Locsin led the charge with 21 points and 7 rebounds, while Bal David and Marlou Aquino combined for 30 points.

Mobiline’s towering duo of Taulava and Seigle still managed a combined 24 points and 21 boards, but it wasn’t enough. The upset was brewing.

Game 2: A Buzzer Beater for the Ages


Game 2 was a rollercoaster.

Mobiline looked to reassert their dominance, taking a commanding 14-point lead at halftime. But Ginebra, in true “Never Say Die” fashion, clawed their way back. They outscored Mobiline in the third quarter to narrow the gap to just six points entering the fourth.

As the final minutes ticked away, both squads traded clutch shots. With just 2 seconds left, Jeff Cariaso nailed two pressure-packed free throws to give Mobiline a 1-point lead.

Then came the magic.

Ginebra called a timeout. The ball was inbounded to Bal David on the right wing. He dribbled, spun through a pair of defenders, and let go of a desperate, off-balanced bank shot as time expired.

Swish. Ballgame. Pandemonium.


(Bal David with the One-Handed Game Winner vs Mobiline)


(Bal David celebrates after a Game Winner vs Mobiline)


(Marlou Aquino, Bal David and Noli Locsin hug each other as they advance to the semifinals)


A Historic PBA Moment

With that shot, Ginebra became the first 8th-seeded team in PBA history to eliminate a No. 1 seed—a feat that would not be replicated until 2011 when Powerade stunned B-Meg in similar fashion.

The moment wasn’t just about a single shot—it was a symbol of Ginebra’s legendary resilience and the embodiment of their “Never Say Die” spirit.

Why This Upset Still Resonates

  • Underdog Story: Everyone loves a good David vs. Goliath tale, and this was the PBA’s finest.

  • Bal David's Heroics: The buzzer-beater has become a staple highlight in PBA history, played over and over in montages and anniversary specials.

  • Legacy Cemented: For fans, this moment solidified Bal David as one of the true Ginebra heroes and showcased the team’s fighting heart post-Jaworski era.

Final Thoughts

The 1999 Ginebra vs. Mobiline quarterfinal series remains one of the most iconic moments in PBA playoff history. Bal David’s off-balanced buzzer beater didn’t just win a game—it won the hearts of millions of fans and reminded the basketball world that you never count Ginebra out.

Whether you’re a die-hard Barangay Ginebra supporter or a neutral fan of Philippine basketball, moments like this are why we love the game.

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