RANKED | THE 50 PBA GREATEST PLAYERS - NUMBERS 1 TO 10
- Syd Salazar
- 12 minutes ago
- 7 min read
We’ve reached the summit.
After weeks of comparing MVPs, champions, stat-stuffers, and culture-shapers, it all comes down to this. The final 10. The most iconic names ever to step foot on a PBA hardwood. These players weren’t just legends—they shaped the entire basketball landscape of the Philippines. They dominated across decades, lifted multiple trophies, redefined their positions, and inspired generations.
And as we count them down from 10 to 1, one thing becomes crystal clear: being one of the best isn’t just about stats—it’s about legacy.
Game starts now.
10 | ROBERT JAWORSKI | 25 GREATEST PLAYERS - 2000
958 GAMES | 12.2PPG - 5.6RPG - 6.1APG - 1.0SPG - 0.2BPG
MAJOR ACHIEVEMENTS:
PBA HALL OF FAME
MVP | 1
MYTHICAL 5 | 6
MYTHICAL 10 | 2
CHAMPIONSHIPS | 13
RANKED:
TOP 10 | ASSISTS, STEALS
TOP 25 | REBOUNDS
They don’t call him “The Living Legend” for nothing. Robert Jaworski's numbers don't scream dominance, but the impact? Generational. He was the heart of Toyota and Ginebra, the spiritual leader of the masses, and the ultimate embodiment of “never say die.” As a player-coach, he brought tactics and charisma that reshaped the game. With 13 championships, an MVP, and spots in the Top 10 for both assists and steals, Jawo was less about playing for stats and more about playing for pride. Simply put: you weren’t just watching basketball—you were watching a movement.
9 | BENJIE PARAS | 25 GREATEST PLAYERS - 2000
586 GAMES | 17.7PPG - 7.6RPG - 3.1APG - 0.4SPG - 2.3BPG
MAJOR ACHIEVEMENTS:
PBA HALL OF FAME
MVP | 2
BPC | 1
MYTHICAL 5 | 5
MYTHICAL 10 | 3
FINALS MVP | 1
ALL-STAR MVP | 2
ROOKIE OF THE YEAR
CHAMPIONSHIPS | 4
GRAND SLAM | 1
RANKED:
TOP 10 | POINTS, REBOUNDS, BLOCKS
TOP 25 | ASSISTS
BOTTOM 10 | STEALS
The only Rookie-MVP in PBA history, Benjie Paras made an entrance like no other—and he never let up. A legitimate two-way monster, Paras was a walking double-double with elite rim protection and nimble footwork in the paint. He played just 586 games, but his per-game stats were outstanding, and he’s ranked in the Top 10 all-time for points, rebounds, and blocks. He also owns a Grand Slam, two MVPs, and a reputation as one of the most agile bigs ever to play the game. You could argue that if injuries hadn’t cut his prime short, Paras could’ve ranked even higher.
8 | ALLAN CAIDIC | 25 GREATEST PLAYERS - 2000
598 GAMES | 19.6PPG - 2.8RPG - 2.6APG - 0.9SPG - 0.2BPG
MAJOR ACHIEVEMENTS:
MVP | 1
BPC | 1
MYTHICAL 5 | 6
MYTHICAL 10 | 2
ALL-STAR MVP | 1
SEASON SCORING CHAMPION | 5
ROOKIE OF THE YEAR
CHAMPIONSHIPS | 5
RANKED:
TOP 10 | POINTS
TOP 25 | ASSISTS, STEALS
BOTTOM 10 | REBOUNDS
Before Steph Curry, there was The Triggerman. Allan Caidic revolutionized long-range shooting in the PBA. A five-time season scoring champ, Caidic’s shooting stroke was pure poetry—calm, mechanical, and deadly. His 19.6 points per game ranks among the elite, and he holds a rare blend of individual accolades: MVP, Rookie of the Year, and multiple Mythical Team nods. What makes Caidic’s scoring more impressive is that most of it came off deep shots, back when the three-pointer was still undervalued. He wasn’t just a scorer—he was a flamethrower.
7 | BOGS ADORNADO | 25 GREATEST PLAYERS - 2000
586 GAMES | 20.4PPG - 2.9RPG - 2.1APG - 0.3SPG - 0.2BPG
MAJOR ACHIEVEMENTS:
PBA HALL OF FAME
MVP | 3
MYTHICAL 5 | 7
MYTHICAL 10 | 1
SEASON SCORING CHAMPION | 5
CHAMPIONSHIPS | 8
GRAND SLAM | 1
RANKED:
TOP 10 | POINTS
BOTTOM 10 | REBOUNDS, STEALS
The PBA’s first true scoring king. Bogs Adornado's career 20.4 PPG is still elite, even by modern standards. A three-time MVP, Adornado was all about efficiency and elegance. He didn’t need to dunk on you—he’d just drop 30 points without breaking a sweat. What’s more impressive? He did this during an era of bruising defense and no hand-check fouls. With eight championships, five scoring titles, and seven Mythical 5 selections, Adornado showed that finesse could conquer force. He was the bucket-getter of his era.
6 | PHILIP CEZAR | 25 GREATEST PLAYERS - 2000
918 GAMES | 13.2PPG - 6.4RPG - 3.4APG - 0.7SPG - 1.5BPG
MAJOR ACHIEVEMENTS:
PBA HALL OF FAME
MVP | 1
MYTHICAL 5 | 7
MYTHICAL 10 | 2
CHAMPIONSHIPS | 15
GRAND SLAM | 2
RANKED:
TOP 10 | BLOCKS
TOP 25 | REBOUNDS, ASSISTS, STEALS
Philip Cezar was the silent assassin—the thinking man’s power forward. Not the flashiest scorer, but his high-IQ play and shot-blocking instincts earned him 15 championships, most of which with the legendary Crispa Redmanizers. He could guard 1 through 5 and made defense cool before it was trendy. Nicknamed "The Scholar," Cezar was a brilliant help defender who lived in passing lanes and timing windows. He’s Top 10 in blocks and Top 25 in four other major categories. He didn’t dominate headlines, but he dominated games—and that’s what legends do.
5 | ATOY CO | 25 GREATEST PLAYERS - 2000
749 GAMES | 17.4PPG - 3.3RPG - 3.7APG - 0.7SPG - 0.5BPG
MAJOR ACHIEVEMENTS:
PBA HALL OF FAME
MVP | 1
MYTHICAL 5 | 9
SEASON SCORING CHAMPION | 1
CHAMPIONSHIPS | 15
GRAND SLAM | 2
RANKED:
TOP 10 | POINTS
TOP 25 | ASSISTS, STEALS, BLOCKS
If style points were real, Atoy Co would lead the league. The Fortune Cookie was a fan favorite with flair and a scoring touch to back it up. He was the centerpiece of the Crispa dynasty, winning 15 championships and 9 Mythical 5s in an era full of stars. Co’s game was smooth—he could drive, pull up, or drain from midrange with ease. Though he only won one MVP, his sustained excellence across two Grand Slam seasons made him a fixture in PBA history. Cool, consistent, and clutch—Atoy was always ready for the big moments.
4 | ARWIND SANTOS | 40 GREATEST PLAYERS - 2015
734 GAMES | 13.8PPG - 8.2RPG - 1.5APG - 0.9SPG - 1.3BPG (AS OF THE 2023-24 PBA SEASON)
MAJOR ACHIEVEMENTS:
MVP | 1
BPC | 2
MYTHICAL 5 | 10
MYTHICAL 10 | 2
FINALS MVP | 2
DEFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE YEAR | 3
ALL-STAR MVP | 2
CHAMPIONSHIPS | 9
RANKED:
TOP 10 | REBOUNDS, STEALS, BLOCKS
TOP 25 | POINTS
BOTTOM 10 | ASSISTS
Few players combine hustle and hardware like Arwind Santos. A Defensive Player of the Year with MVP credentials, Arwind brought energy to every possession. He could hit threes, protect the rim, and snatch rebounds like a true hybrid forward. With 9 titles, 10 Mythical 5 selections, and multiple Finals MVPs, he was the cornerstone of San Miguel’s winning culture in the 2010s. Even late in his career, he stayed productive—proof of his durability and dedication. The ultimate glue guy who could also be the guy.
3 | ALVIN PATRIMONIO | 25 GREATEST PLAYERS - 2000
857 GAMES | 17.6PPG - 7.2RPG - 2.4APG - 0.3SPG - 0.7BPG
MAJOR ACHIEVEMENTS:
PBA HALL OF FAME
MVP | 4
BPC | 3
MYTHICAL 5 | 10
MYTHICAL 10 | 1
FINALS MVP | 1
ALL-STAR MVP | 1
SEASON SCORING CHAMPION | 3
CHAMPIONSHIPS | 7
RANKED:
TOP 10 | POINTS
TOP 25 | REBOUNDS, BLOCKS
BOTTOM 10 | STEALS
Captain Lionheart. The Face of the '90s. Alvin Patrimonio was the heart and soul of Purefoods for over a decade. A four-time MVP and ten-time Mythical 5 selection, his legacy rests on both dominance and loyalty. He played with unmatched intensity, fighting for rebounds, powering through defenders, and always representing the team-first mindset. His statline might not be flashy by modern standards, but in his prime, he was an unstoppable force in the paint and a walking 20-10 threat. More than that, he carried a franchise on his back—and made them champions.
2 | JUNE MAR FAJARDO | 50 GREATEST PLAYERS - 2025
468 GAMES | 17.4PPG - 12.3RPG - 1.7APG - 0.5SPG - 1.5BPG (AS OF THE 2023-24 PBA SEASON)
MAJOR ACHIEVEMENTS:
MVP | 8
BPC | 11
MYTHICAL 5 | 9
MYTHICAL 10 | 1
FINALS MVP | 4
DEFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE YEAR | 1
MOST IMPROVED PLAYER
CHAMPIONSHIPS | 10
RANKED:
TOP 10 | POINTS, REBOUNDS, BLOCKS
BOTTOM 10 | ASSISTS
The Kraken. The most dominant big man the league has ever seen. June Mar Fajardo shattered records with grace and humility. The only reason why he's at number two is that I gave Hall of Famers additional points while giving demerits to active players as well. He owns a mind-boggling eight MVP awards—most in history—and 11 BPCs, proving his decade-long stranglehold on the league. What makes Fajardo unique is that he dominates without arrogance. He lets his numbers speak: Top 10 in points, rebounds, and blocks—despite not even hitting 500 games yet. With 10 championships and counting, June Mar’s legacy is still being written. But let’s be real—he’s already on Mount Rushmore.
1 | RAMON FERNANDEZ | 25 GREATEST PLAYERS - 2000
1074 GAMES | 17.7PPG - 8.1RPG - 4.9APG - 1.2SPG - 1.7BPG
MAJOR ACHIEVEMENTS:
PBA HALL OF FAME
MVP | 4
MYTHICAL 5 | 13
MYTHICAL 10 | 3
SEASON SCORING CHAMPION | 2
CHAMPIONSHIPS | 19
GRAND SLAM | 1
RANKED:
TOP 10 | POINTS, REBOUNDS, ASSISTS, STEALS, BLOCKS
El Presidente. The total package. Ramon Fernandez could do everything—and did it for longer than anyone else. With 19 championships and four MVPs, he was the PBA's ultimate franchise player. A 6’4” center who passed like a point guard, rebounded like a power forward, and blocked shots like a rim protector, Fernandez ranks in the Top 10 in all five major statistical categories. He evolved as the game evolved, staying elite from the late ‘70s to the early ‘90s. Numbers? Unmatched. Impact? Untouchable. Legacy? Immortal.
There you have it. Ten names who don’t just sit atop the PBA mountain—they are the mountain. Some were pioneers. Others were dynamos. All were winners. Whether you saw them in black-and-white broadcasts or HD glory, their greatness transcends eras. And as we close this countdown, one thing remains clear: greatness isn’t just measured in rings or records—it’s etched in the memories of every fan they inspired.
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