The only eight-time MVP in league history—including six straight from 2014 to 2019—June Mar Fajardo is the definitive face of the modern PBA era.

When Ricardo Brown arrived in the PBA in 1983, he didn’t just make history—he made it fast.

Known for his silky-smooth jumper and consistent inside presence, Manny Victorino was a cornerstone big man throughout the 1980s.

In the final seven minutes, Gilas gave its fans the wet-dream moment we had all been craving. Gilas suddenly found its three-point shooting and went wild, scorching the net.

Over the course of the Asian Games, the Philippines has won five gold medals in men's basketball, dating back to 1951. However, the fifth gold medal came 61 years after the fourth.

UAAP STATS | ARWIND SANTOS

Calvin Oftana was the final addition to Gilas Pilipinas’ 12-man rotation. Adrian Nocum has also been a revelation, emerging as a fearless, do-it-all player. However, Tim Cone had no answer for Bahrain’s outside shooting or its naturalized behemoths.

PBA STATS | MIKE AYONAYON

PBA STATS | DIEGO DARIO

GILAS PILIPINAS | 2023 SEA GAMES STATS

PBA STATS | BJ ANDRADE

A couple of days from now, Gilas Pilipinas will fight against the best of Asia in their quest to successfully defend their 2022 Asian Games title.

PBA STATS | AGEM MIRANDA

The nightmare they had to endure when Jordan Clarkson wreaked havoc on them in the 2023 FIBA World Cup hadn't subsided yet. In that game, they witnessed Justin Noypi replicate what Clarkson did to them on their home court.

It's also about the possibility of having another SMC team playing in the PBA.

UAAP STATS | LA TENORIO

PBA STATS | DAMIE CUNTAPAY

The San Miguel import's naturalization would be helpful, especially with Justin Brownlee showing his age.

Basically, the squad consists of some of the PBA's toughest players.

PBA STATS | JEO AMBOHOT

PBA STATS | KYLES LAO

PBA STATS | FRANK GOLLA

PBA STATS | SANTI SANTILLAN

The Asian Games roster was composed solely of PBA players, and while there's a chance that we wouldn't have Justin Brownlee, I think this version of Gilas will also lose a fraction of the remaining members of the FIBA team.

It feels like Gilas Pilipinas took the path of the New York Knicks in the last two games they played in the FIBA Asia Qualifiers. And I'm not hating on them, especially since they won.