This is a five-part blog on the best players of the PBA in the 2023-24 season.
For this list, I used this multiplier:
POINTS | 1.25
REBOUNDS | 1.5
ASSISTS | 2
STEALS | 2.5
BLOCKS | 2.75
To make the list, the players must have 400 total stats or more. To rank higher on the list, the players must have a combined average of 20 or more.
This list favors the teams with the most games. Gone are the days when the best team gets at least 60 games, but it’s safe to say that most players on this list had a combined 25 or more games.
30 | PAUL LEE | MAGNOLIA HOTSHOTS
2023-24 OVERALL TEAM RECORD | 21 – 13 (.618)
2023-24 PBA COMMISSIONER’S CUP FINALIST
2024 PBA ALL-STAR SELECTION
SEASON AVERAGES | 11.2PPG – 3.1RPG – 3.4APG
I am not saying that Paul Lee phoned the season in, but this is not your typical Angas ng Tondo season. The former UE standout scored his second-worst numbers in terms of scoring average and field goal percentage. That said, the 35-year-old is still the Hotshots' third-leading local scorer, and it also helps his rank that Magnolia was able to reach the 2023-24 PBA Commissioner's Cup Finals.
29 | JAYSON CASTRO | TNT TROPANG GIGA
2023-24 OVERALL TEAM RECORD | 12 – 14 (.462)
2024 PBA ALL-STAR SELECTION
SEASON AVERAGES | 13.1PPG – 3.4RPG – 4.6APG – 0.8SPG
Jayson Castro is also in this spot for the simple reason that he is that good. Much like Lee, The Blur's numbers have regressed through the years, but his worst numbers are something other players aspire to because we are just used to him getting more. TNT is currently a mix of the old guards who understand Chot Reyes' system and the new players who want to be part of their rich tradition, and Castro is at its forefront. He produced his best numbers during the Commissioner's Cup, with averages of 14.4 points, 3.1 rebounds, and 3.9 assists.
28 | ALLEIN MALIKSI | MERALCO BOLTS
2023-24 OVERALL TEAM RECORD | 25 – 14 (.641)
2023-24 PBA PHILIPPINE CUP CHAMPION
SEASON AVERAGES | 13.3PPG – 3.3RPG – 1.4APG
It felt like Allein Maliksi's career needed a wake-up call, and what better alarm clock than giving Meralco its first-ever PBA championship? He is still the Bolts' second-leading scorer despite the emergence of Chris Banchero and while he is no young stud, he can still unleash hell, particularly on the offensive end. The former UST Growling Tiger averaged 13.7 points, 3.3 rebounds, and 1.5 assists during the Philippine Cup.
27 | RR POGOY | TNT TROPANG GIGA
2023-24 OVERALL TEAM RECORD | 12 – 14 (.462)
2024 PBA ALL-STAR SELECTION
SEASON AVERAGES | 19.5PPG – 4.1RPG – 2.1APG – 0.7SPG
RR Pogoy started the season on the injured list, playing just two games in the Commissioner's Cup. Then he made up for lost time in the Philippine Cup. Averaging 20.4 points, 4.3 rebounds, and 2.1 assists, he and Calvin Oftana made TNT the only team to have two players averaging 20 points or more in the Philippine Cup. Of course, this had to do with the team's lack of scoring options, so the entry of Rey Nambatac to the squad will likely ease away some of his scoring duties.
26 | ANDREI CARACUT | RAIN OR SHINE ELASTO PAINTERS
2023-24 OVERALL TEAM RECORD | 14 – 16 (.467)
2023-24 PBA PHILIPPINE CUP SEMIFINALIST
SEASON AVERAGES | 12.4PPG – 2.3RPG – 4.5APG
One of the reasons why Rey Nambatac became expendable is because of Andrei Caracut. He fits your typical Yeng Guiao mold, wherein he is a hardworking former second-round pick who just wants to maximize the opportunities given to him, and Caracut did not disappoint. Yes, he was overzealous at times, but this ties in with him being a hard worker. Caracut played his best during the Commissioner's Cup, averaging 14.7 points, 2.4 rebounds, and 4.8 assists.
25 | JOSHUA MUNZON | NORTHPORT BATANG PIER
2023-24 OVERALL TEAM RECORD | 11 – 13 (.458)
SEASON AVERAGES | 12.3PPG – 3.5RPG – 3.4APG – 2.5SPG
This was Joshua Munzon's first full season with the Northport Batang Pier and his numbers have started to rise. This is also Munzon's first ten-win season. What hits differently now is that Munzon isn't the team's primary option, and he can choose to orchestrate the plays and slide to the designated scorer, knowing that Arvin Tolentino and the others are there to back him up. The former ABL guard's conference numbers are nearly identical, but Munzon had 4.3 rebounds, 3.6 assists, and 2.8 steals on top of his 11.6 points in the Philippine Cup.
24 | JUSTIN ARANA | CONVERGE FIBERXERS
2023-24 OVERALL TEAM RECORD | 3 – 19 (.136)
SEASON AVERAGES | 17.0PPG – 7.0RPG – 1.7APG – 0.8BPG
Jeo Ambohot was drafted before Justin Arana, and this sucks, because the difference between their PBA careers is night and day. Possibly leading the fort before his potential tag team partner Justine Baltazar applies for the draft, the former Arellano Chief is having a breakout sophomore season. Arana's numbers skyrocketed during the Philippine Cup, where he had Jun Limpot-like numbers of 19.9 points, 7.6 rebounds, 2.5 assists, and 0.9 blocks. Why did I name-dropped The Big Deal? Again, expect Limpot-Espino 2.0 with the arrival of Balti in Converge.
23 | JAPETH AGUILAR | BARANGAY GINEBRA KINGS
2023-24 OVERALL TEAM RECORD | 20 – 14 (.588)
2023-24 PBA COMMISSIONER’S CUP SEMIFINALIST
2023-24 PBA PHILIPPINE CUP SEMIFINALIST
2024 PBA ALL-STAR MVP
SEASON AVERAGES | 11.6PPG – 6.0RPG – 1.2BPG
Japeth Aguilar is one of four Ginebra players to play in all of their team's games. This is a good statistic since the Kings could have done better if only they had a complete crew. Still, twin semifinal finishes are nothing to frown on. Japeth's game may be on the verge of decline but he can still soar for a rebound and a slam when given the chance. The Gilas Pilipinas captain averaged 13.6 points, 6.4 rebounds, and 1.4 blocks in the Philippine Cup.
22 | CHRIS BANCHERO | MERALCO BOLTS
2023-24 OVERALL TEAM RECORD | 25 – 14 (.641)
2023-24 PBA PHILIPPINE CUP CHAMPION
SEASON AVERAGES | 11.6PPG – 3.7RPG – 3.4APG
Moving to Meralco after stints with Alaska and Phoenix felt like the curtain call for Chris Banchero's superstar status. That said, Banchero played a major part in Meralco's first-ever championship. It seems like reuniting with former Alaska coach Luigi Trillo was enough to bring back his confidence. Knocking triples and becoming the lead guard after Aaron Black's injury, the former ABL standout took advantage of the situation.
21 | IAN SANGALANG | MAGNOLIA HOTSHOTS
2023-24 OVERALL TEAM RECORD | 21 – 13 (.618)
2023-24 PBA COMMISSIONER’S CUP FINALIST
2024 PBA ALL-STAR SELECTION
SEASON AVERAGES | 12.0PPG – 5.9RPG – 1.3APG
Magnolia reached the finals of the Commissioner's Cup with Ian Sangalang giving the team noteworthy support. With that said, he is not here because of his Commish Cup numbers. If you check out his season averages, you'll be amazed at what he did in the Philippine Cup. The former San Sebastian Stag posted a team-high 17.8 points, 7.2 rebounds, and 2.1 assists in the no-import tourney.