RANKED | THE 50 PBA GREATEST PLAYERS - NUMBERS 21 TO 30
- Syd Salazar
- 1 day ago
- 7 min read
As we inch closer to the top 20, we find ourselves in a sweet spot where legendary consistency meets quiet greatness. These next ten names might not always dominate highlight reels or MVP discussions, but their total body of work screams excellence. This is the tier where careers were defined by balance—between offense and defense, fame and fundamentals, superteam glory and franchise loyalty.
From decorated MVPs and reliable glue guys to perennial Mythical selections and Grand Slam champions, this batch gives us everything—clutch shooting, elite playmaking, two-way dominance, and even some low-key PBA lore.
Let’s keep the conversation going as we break down players ranked 21 to 30 in our all-time list.
Game starts now.
30 | BONG HAWKINS | 50 GREATEST PLAYERS - 2025
607 GAMES | 13.6PPG - 6.8RPG - 2.8APG - 0.8SPG - 0.4BPG
MAJOR ACHIEVEMENTS:
BPC | 1
MYTHICAL 5 | 2
MYTHICAL 10 | 2
FINALS MVP | 1
CHAMPIONSHIPS | 10
GRAND SLAM | 1
RANKED:
TOP 25 | REBOUNDS, ASSISTS, STEALS
When it came to doing the dirty work and still putting up numbers, few did it better than Bong Hawkins. His silky midrange jumper, crafty footwork, and uncanny court IQ made him a staple in multiple championship rosters, including Alaska’s iconic 1996 Grand Slam team. Hawkins didn’t need gaudy stats to be effective—his career averages of 13.6 points, 6.8 rebounds, and 2.8 assists reflect a versatile, team-first forward. His ability to finish in traffic and facilitate from the post made him a matchup nightmare. With 10 championships, a BPC, Finals MVP, and Top 25 rankings in rebounds, assists, and steals, Hawkins was the glue that held the Milkmen together.
29 | JIMMY ALAPAG | 40 GREATEST PLAYERS - 2015
601 GAMES | 12.1PPG - 3.8RPG - 5.7APG - 0.5SPG - 0.01BPG
MAJOR ACHIEVEMENTS:
MVP | 1
BPC | 1
MYTHICAL 5 | 3
FINALS MVP | 2
ALL-STAR MVP | 1
CHAMPIONSHIPS | 6
ROOKIE OF THE YEAR
RANKED:
TOP 10 | ASSISTS
BOTTOM 10 | BLOCKS
The Captain. Jimmy Alapag brought leadership, elite shot-making, and clutch play to a whole new level. Despite being undersized, he orchestrated offenses with surgical precision and had a killer three-point shot that made defenses sweat in crunch time. With an MVP, BPC, Finals MVPs, and a Rookie of the Year award in his pocket, he became the heart and soul of the Talk 'N Text dynasty. His 5.7 assists per game place him in the Top 10 all-time, and his ability to make teammates better was unparalleled. While he’s bottom 10 in blocks (which, let’s face it, no one expected him to rack up), his leadership and skillset more than made up for it.
28 | FRANCIS ARNAIZ | 25 GREATEST PLAYERS - 2000
613 GAMES | 16.8PPG - 2.5RPG - 4.8APG - 0.7SPG - 0.1BPG
MAJOR ACHIEVEMENTS:
PBA HALL OF FAME
MYTHICAL 10 | 3
CHAMPIONSHIPS | 10
RANKED:
TOP 10 | POINTS, ASSISTS
TOP 25 | STEALS
BOTTOM 10 | REBOUNDS, BLOCKS
Before flashy guards became the norm, Francis Arnaiz was already doing it in the '70s and '80s. Partnered with Robert Jaworski in the famed Toyota backcourt, Arnaiz played with grit, flair, and consistency. His averages of 16.8 points and 4.8 assists per game are proof of his dual-threat capabilities. He ranks among the Top 10 in points and assists, and even if his rebounding and blocking numbers were low, his role was clear: score and facilitate. A PBA Hall of Famer with 10 championships to his name, Arnaiz was one of the first true stars of Philippine basketball.
27 | VERGEL MENESES | 25 GREATEST PLAYERS - 2000
590 GAMES | 16.0PPG - 3.2RPG - 3.6APG - 0.3SPG - 0.5BPG
MAJOR ACHIEVEMENTS:
MVP | 1
BPC | 3
MYTHICAL 5 | 2
MYTHICAL 10 | 1
ALL-STAR MVP | 4
SEASON SCORING CHAMPION | 1
MOST IMPROVED PLAYER
CHAMPIONSHIPS | 3
RANKED:
TOP 25 | POINTS, ASSISTS, BLOCKS
BOTTOM 10 | STEALS
The Aerial Voyager was a human highlight reel with substance. Vergel Meneses’ combination of hang-time, foot speed, and ball-handling made him one of the most exciting players to watch in the '90s. But beyond the jaw-dropping plays were serious credentials: MVP, three BPCs, multiple Mythical selections, a Most Improved Player nod, and four All-Star MVPs. He led the league in scoring at one point and still ranks among the Top 25 in points, assists, and blocks. While he struggled on the defensive end in terms of steals, Meneses’ offensive dynamism more than made up for any shortfall.
26 | JEFFREY CARIASO | 50 GREATEST PLAYERS - 2025
686 GAMES | 13.0PPG - 4.5RPG - 3.0APG - 0.7SPG - 0.2BPG
MAJOR ACHIEVEMENTS:
BPC | 1
MYTHICAL 5 | 4
MYTHICAL 10 | 1
FINALS MVP | 1
ROOKIE OF THE YEAR
CHAMPIONSHIPS | 8
GRAND SLAM | 1
RANKED:
TOP 25 | ASSISTS, STEALS
The Jet was all about professionalism and quiet excellence. Jeffrey Cariaso was rarely the loudest guy in the room, but his on-court performance spoke volumes. A polished scorer and two-way wing, he was a reliable presence in any system—helping teams win eight titles, including a Grand Slam with Alaska. With a BPC, Finals MVP, and multiple Mythical selections, Cariaso was both steady and spectacular when needed. Ranking in the top 25 in assists and steals, his complete game made him the perfect star for any coach.
25 | KENNETH DUREMDES | 25 GREATEST PLAYERS - 2000
527 GAMES | 13.4PPG - 4.2RPG - 3.1APG - 0.5SPG - 0.6BPG
MAJOR ACHIEVEMENTS:
MVP | 1
BPC | 2
MYTHICAL 5 | 2
MYTHICAL 10 | 3
FINALS MVP | 2
ALL-STAR MVP | 1
CHAMPIONSHIPS | 6
RANKED:
TOP 25 | ASSISTS, BLOCKS
There was a time when Kenneth Duremdes was considered the best player in the league—and for good reason. "Captain Marbel" blended strength and finesse as a scoring wing who could bully his way to the rim or kill you with the jumper. An MVP, two BPCs, and a pair of Finals MVPs underscore his run of dominance in the late '90s and early 2000s. Duremdes was also a clutch performer, often carrying his teams through tough playoff series. With six championships and Top 25 rankings in assists and blocks, he was a two-way star who delivered on both ends.
24 | NELSON ASAYTONO | 50 GREATEST PLAYERS - 2025
820 GAMES | 15.0PPG - 5.5RPG - 1.6APG - 0.3SPG - 0.5BPG
MAJOR ACHIEVEMENTS:
BPC | 2
MYTHICAL 5 | 3
MYTHICAL 10 | 4
SEASON SCORING CHAMPION | 1
CHAMPIONSHIPS | 7
RANKED:
TOP 25 | POINTS, REBOUNDS, BLOCKS
BOTTOM 10 | ASSISTS, STEALS
Nelson Asaytono was a big-time scoring menace and one of the most underrated scorers in PBA history. Averaging 15.0 points over 820 games, the Bull was a physical specimen who used strength and agility to dominate defenders. He was a two-time BPC and a three-time Mythical 5 selection who led the league in scoring during one season. Ranking among the Top 25 in points, rebounds, and blocks, he was also an underappreciated presence inside the paint. While his playmaking and defense may not have stood out, his scoring punch was undeniable and often the backbone of his teams.
23 | JOJO LASTIMOSA | 25 GREATEST PLAYERS - 2000
789 GAMES | 15.2PPG - 3.2RPG - 2.9APG - 0.7SPG - 0.2BPG
MAJOR ACHIEVEMENTS:
MYTHICAL 5 | 3
MYTHICAL 10 | 4
FINALS MVP | 1
ALL-STAR MVP | 1
ROOKIE OF THE YEAR
CHAMPIONSHIPS | 10
GRAND SLAM | 1
RANKED:
TOP 25 | POINTS, ASSISTS, STEALS
Smooth, clutch, and incredibly efficient, Jojo Lastimosa was the quintessential shooting guard of the '90s. Whether it was a pull-up jumper, a three-pointer, or a drive to the hoop, Jolas made scoring look effortless. His 15.2 points per game and Top 25 rankings in points, assists, and steals speak to his well-rounded game. A 10-time champion, Finals MVP, and Rookie of the Year, Lastimosa was the go-to guy in pressure situations. His longevity and impact on winning basketball make him a true icon of his era.
22 | FREDDIE HUBALDE | 25 GREATEST PLAYERS - 2000
793 GAMES | 12.4PPG - 3.9RPG - 2.5APG - 0.6SPG - 0.5BPG
MAJOR ACHIEVEMENTS:
PBA HALL OF FAME
MVP | 1
MYTHICAL 5 | 3
CHAMPIONSHIPS | 16
GRAND SLAM | 2
ROOKIE OF THE YEAR
RANKED:
TOP 25 | BLOCKS
If championships were the only metric, Freddie Hubalde would be in the top 10. With 16 titles, 2 Grand Slams, and an MVP award, he was the consummate winner. While his numbers weren’t mind-blowing, his steady production and clutch gene made him a fixture in dynasties like Crispa and later with San Miguel. He earned three Mythical 5 nods and even made the Hall of Fame, proving his impact transcended raw stats. He also quietly ranks among the Top 25 in blocks, a nod to his defensive instincts despite playing the wing.
21 | JERRY CODINERA | 25 GREATEST PLAYERS - 2000
871 GAMES | 12.5PPG - 8.1RPG - 1.3APG - 0.4SPG - 1.4BPG
MAJOR ACHIEVEMENTS:
BPC | 2
MYTHICAL 5 | 3
MYTHICAL 10 | 5
FINALS MVP | 1
DEFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE YEAR | 1
CHAMPIONSHIPS | 5
RANKED:
TOP 10 | REBOUNDS, BLOCKS
BOTTOM 10 | ASSISTS
The Defense Minister did more than just protect the paint—he anchored it. Jerry Codiñera was a master shot blocker and glass cleaner, ranking in the Top 10 all-time in rebounds and blocks. Averaging 8.1 boards and 1.4 blocks per game over a 871-game career, his presence changed the way teams attacked the rim. But he wasn’t just a defensive guy; he scored 12.5 points per contest and won a Finals MVP along the way. With 3 Mythical 5s, 5 Mythical 10s, and a Defensive Player of the Year award, Codiñera is arguably the best defensive big the PBA has ever seen.
This group proves that greatness in the PBA isn’t just about MVPs or being a household name—it’s also about longevity, impact, adaptability, and the ability to lead or complement. These players carved their own legacy, whether through championships, individual accolades, or by elevating every team they played for.
Up next: the top 20.
The titans.
The faces of generations.
The best of the best.
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