Before June Mar Fajardo, there was Ramon Fernandez. El Presidente is widely regarded as the greatest player in Philippine basketball history. His combination of size, skill, and basketball IQ set the gold standard.
But greatness often shines brighter when measured against rivals, and Fernandez had two of the most iconic ones: Abet Guidaben and Robert Jaworski.
One was his equal in the paint, constantly challenging him in head-to-head matchups. The other was almost as synonymous with Naruto and Sasuke. But the question remains: who was Fernandez’s true rival?
Let’s dive into the numbers, stories, and impact to find out.
FERNANDEZ VERSUS GUIDABEN: THE BATTLE OF THE BIGS
By the Numbers:
Fernandez’s Career Stats (1975–1994):
1,074 games
17.69 points, 8.07 rebounds, 4.86 assists, 1.21 steals, 1.73 blocks per game
19 championships (1 Grand Slam)
4 MVPs (1982, 1984, 1986, 1988)
13 Mythical Five selections and 3 Mythical Ten selections
Guidaben’s Career Stats (1975–1995):
1,082 games
14.58 points, 7.92 rebounds, 2.11 assists, 0.31 steals, 0.85 blocks per game
16 championships (2 Grand Slams)
2 MVPs (1983, 1987)
5 Mythical Five selections
THE RIVALRY
Fernandez and Guidaben were natural rivals, dating back to their collegiate days in the South, where they played for opposing schools—Fernandez for the University of San Carlos Warriors and Guidaben for USJ-R Jaguars. In the MICAA and the PBA, their rivalry intensified as they anchored two of the most dominant teams in history: Toyota for Fernandez and Crispa for Guidaben.
Their matchups were technical, physical, and relentless. Fernandez had the better overall game—he could score, rebound, and even play point center with his passing skills. Meanwhile, Guidaben was the consummate post player, dominating the shaded lane with his defense and clutch rebounding.
In the ‘70s, Crispa had four MVP seasons with Bogs Adornado winning back-to-back MVPs with Atoy Co and Freddie Hubalde coming away with one apiece. Philip Cezar would then jumpstart Crispa’s MVP haul in 1980 before Guidaben got his moment in 1983. The only time the Toyota Tamaraws had an MVP year during the first five seasons was when Robert Jaworski won the award in 1978.
The turning point in the Fernandez-Guidaben started in the early '80s when El Presidente won the MVP award in 1982, and then Guidaben would answer back in 1983 when the Redmanizers scored their second grand slam. Eventually, Guidaben and Fernandez became the faces of the league, and their head-to-head battles reached new heights. They were traded for each other twice—once in 1985 when Tanduay and Manila Beer swapped stars and again in 1988 when San Miguel and Purefoods traded their star players. The latter trade became historic when Fernandez won an MVP that season while playing for two different teams, a feat unmatched to this day.
From 1982 to 1988, Fernandez and Guidaben swapped MVP awards except in 1985, when Ricardo Brown spoiled a potential Guidaben MVP season.
Ironically, when Fernandez and Guidaben swapped jerseys in 1988, Brown was part of the San Miguel squad.
FERNANDEZ VERSUS JAWORSKI: THE BATTLE OF THE BOSSES
By the Numbers:
Fernandez’s Career Stats (1975–1994):
1,074 games
17.69 points, 8.07 rebounds, 4.86 assists, 1.21 steals, 1.73 blocks per game
19 championships (1 Grand Slam)
4 MVPs (1982, 1984, 1986, 1988)
13 Mythical Five selections and 3 Mythical Ten selections
Jaworski’s Career Stats (1975–1997):
958 games
12.24 points, 5.60 rebounds, 6.08 assists, 0.98 steals, 0.15 blocks per game
13 championships
1 MVP (1978)
6 Mythical Five selections and 2 Mythical Ten selections
THE RIVALRY
Fernandez and Jaworski started as teammates for Toyota in the PBA’s early years, forming one of the most successful tandems in league history. Jaworski’s fiery, hard-nosed play complemented Fernandez’s calm and calculated style, but their contrasting personalities led to friction.
In 1983, their partnership came to a dramatic end with the disbandment of Toyota. Jaworski moved to Ginebra and became the heart of the “never-say-die” culture, while Fernandez joined Beer Hausen and continued racking up MVP awards and championships.
Their rivalry wasn’t about direct competition—Jaworski played guard, while Fernandez was a big man. Instead, it was fueled by off-court drama, including reports of locker room disputes.
At the end of 1983, Fernandez signed on to play for the Beer Hausen Brew Masters, the Lucio Tan-owned management that acquired the franchise from Toyota, alongside former Toyota teammates Ed Cordero, Nic Bulaong, Emer Legaspi, Pol Herrera, and Ricky Relosa. However, the rest of the Super Corollas did not join the team, insulted at the notion of being sold “wholesale” without a say on things. Jaworski moved to Ginebra alongside Francis Arnaiz and made the cellar-dwelling franchise into a bonafide championship threat.
Fans took sides, and every matchup between Ginebra and Fernandez’s teams became a spectacle.
THE VERDICT
When it comes to choosing Ramon Fernandez’s greatest rival, the answer is clear:
Abet Guidaben.
IT'S AN ON-COURT BATTLE
Fernandez and Guidaben were both big men, constantly battling in the post. Their rivalry was defined by head-to-head matchups, making it more impactful on the court.
BITTER RIVALS AND TRADE PARTNERS
The two were traded for each other twice, showcasing how evenly matched they were in talent and value. His rivalry with Fernandez directly influenced Guidaben’s MVP seasons in 1983 and 1987. Moreover, Fernandez may not have had his grand slam if he wasn't traded to San Miguel in 1988 for Guidaben.
THE STATS
Fernandez had the edge in points, assists, steals, and blocks, but Guidaben was close in rebounds and championships. The statistical gap was narrower than Jaworski’s.
FINAL WORD
While the Fernandez-Jaworski rivalry had more drama and fanfare, it was more about personality clashes and off-court intrigue. On the other hand, Guidaben’s rivalry with Fernandez was pure basketball—a battle between two of the greatest big men in league history. Fernandez vs. Guidaben wasn’t just a rivalry; it was a chess match on hardwood, and Guidaben remains the opponent who pushed El Presidente the hardest.
Perhaps the biggest reason why June Mar Fajardo has eight MVPs is that he never had a rival like Abet Guidaben did to Ramon Fernandez.
WINNER: ABET GUIDABEN
