RANKED | THE 50 PBA GREATEST PLAYERS - NUMBERS 41 TO 50
- Syd Salazar
- 7 minutes ago
- 6 min read
As we begin our countdown of the 50 Greatest Players in PBA history, we kick things off with a compelling batch of legends—some underrated, some injury-plagued, and others statistical anomalies.
They weren’t always the most popular names on the list, but their impact, titles, and legacy earned them a rightful seat at the table. These ten players represent the colorful spectrum of PBA greatness: from elite defenders and scorers to glue guys who won it all. You’ll find Grand Slam champions, Hall of Famers, and cult favorites—proof that greatness isn’t always measured in MVPs or stat sheets.
Let’s dive into Numbers 41 to 50.
Game starts now.
50 | CHITO LOYZAGA | 40 GREATEST PLAYERS - 2015
566 GAMES | 9.3PPG - 4.4RPG - 2.3APG - 1.0SPG - 0.3BPG
MAJOR ACHIEVEMENTS:
MYTHICAL 10 | 1
CHAMPIONSHIPS | 7
RANKED:
TOP 10 | STEALS
BOTTOM 10 | POINTS
Chito Loyzaga wasn’t your go-to scorer, but he was the guy you trusted to shut down the opposition’s best player. A defensive specialist who made a living off hustle plays, steals, and rebounds, he was the ultimate “intangibles” guy. His 9.3 points per game may not wow you, but his presence was always felt on the floor. He helped his teams win seven championships and was once named to the Mythical 10. Among PBA defenders, Loyzaga remains one of the most respected ever—quiet but impactful.
49 | BERNIE FABIOSA | 25 GREATEST PLAYERS - 2000
788 GAMES | 8.4PPG - 2.7RPG - 3.6APG - 1.6SPG - 0.1BPG
MAJOR ACHIEVEMENTS:
MYTHICAL 10 | 1
CHAMPIONSHIPS | 15
GRAND SLAM | 2
RANKED:
TOP 10 | STEALS
TOP 25 | ASSISTS
BOTTOM 10 | POINTS, REBOUNDS, BLOCKS
They called him "The Sultan of Swipe" for a reason—Bernie Fabiosa terrorized opposing backcourts with his hands. A two-time Grand Slam winner with 15 championships under his belt, Fabiosa was part of that iconic Crispa squad that defined '70s and '80s PBA basketball. His scoring may have been modest at 8.4 points per game, but he consistently ranked in the Top 10 in steals and was a solid passer with 3.6 assists per game. He was also named to the Mythical 10 once, further validating his all-around value—a true team-first player who made his mark on both ends.
48 | LIM ENG BENG | 25 GREATEST PLAYERS - 2000
416 GAMES | 14.1PPG - 2.9RPG - 2.9APG - 0.5SPG - 0.1BPG
MAJOR ACHIEVEMENTS:
PBA HALL OF FAME
MYTHICAL 5 | 1
CHAMPIONSHIPS | 3
RANKED:
TOP 25 | POINTS, ASSISTS
BOTTOM 10 | REBOUNDS
Lim Eng Beng was one of the early PBA offensive maestros, with a smooth midrange game and natural scoring instincts. He only played 416 games, but his 14.1 PPG average puts him ahead of many volume shooters of his era. His inclusion in the PBA Hall of Fame and a Mythical 5 nod prove how respected he was in his prime. Despite being a bit undersized, he still cracked the Top 25 in points and assists. A pioneer for the Asian-style, a la Shin Dong Pa scoring guard, his presence in the league helped set the tone for future offensive-minded players.
47 | KERBY RAYMUNDO | 40 GREATEST PLAYERS - 2015
480 GAMES | 12.2PPG - 7.2RPG - 2.3APG - 0.5SPG - 0.6BPG
MAJOR ACHIEVEMENTS:
MYTHICAL 5 | 1
MYTHICAL 10 | 3
FINALS MVP | 1
CHAMPIONSHIPS | 4
RANKED:
TOP 25 | REBOUNDS, BLOCKS
Dubbed “The Kid” early in his career, Kerby Raymundo matured into a reliable two-way star for Red Bull, Purefoods, and Ginebra. His numbers—12.2 PPG and 7.2 RPG—are a testament to his inside-outside versatility. He was a Finals MVP, a Mythical 5 member, and made the Mythical 10 three times. Injuries may have shortened his peak, but he was undeniably one of the smartest bigs of his generation. Whether spacing the floor or playing the post, Raymundo was a quiet killer on the hardwood.
46 | ABE KING | 50 GREATEST PLAYERS - 2025
782 GAMES | 10.0PPG - 6.7RPG - 1.8APG - 0.4SPG - 0.7BPG
MAJOR ACHIEVEMENTS:
MYTHICAL 5 | 1
MYTHICAL 10 | 1
CHAMPIONSHIPS | 13
RANKED:
TOP 10 | REBOUNDS, BLOCKS
BOTTOM 10 | POINTS
Abe King was the enforcer every title contender wished they had. He played nearly 800 games, winning 13 championships, and built his reputation on defense and physicality. His stat line -10.0 PPG, 6.7 RPG, 0.7 BPG—doesn’t do justice to his presence on the court. King ranked in the Top 10 in rebounds and blocks, often anchoring the paint during crucial stretches. He was also a Mythical 5 and Mythical 10 selection, proving his all-around value beyond just brute force.
45 | MANNY PANER | 25 GREATEST PLAYERS - 2000
473 GAMES | 12.4PPG - 7.0RPG - 1.9APG - 0.6SPG - 0.4BPG
MAJOR ACHIEVEMENTS:
PBA HALL OF FAME
MYTHICAL 5 | 1
CHAMPIONSHIPS | 1
RANKED:
TOP 10 | REBOUNDS
TOP 25 | STEALS
Nicknamed “The Main Man,” Manny Paner was a trailblazer among the bigs in the PBA’s formative years. His 12.4 points and 7 rebounds per game speak to his well-rounded skill set, and his soft hands made him a reliable interior scorer. Though he only won one title, his career earned him a spot in the PBA Hall of Fame and a Mythical 5 selection. Paner ranks in the top 10 in rebounds and even managed a Top 25 in steals, showcasing his hustle and smarts. A consistent performer in a tough era of basketball.
44 | ARNIE TUADLES | 50 GREATEST PLAYERS - 2025
692 GAMES | 13.6PPG - 3.8RPG - 3.3APG - 0.5SPG - 0.5BPG
MAJOR ACHIEVEMENTS:
MYTHICAL 5 | 1
MYTHICAL 10 | 1
CHAMPIONSHIPS | 9
RANKED:
TOP 25 | POINTS, ASSISTS, BLOCKS
Arnie Tuadles was as stylish as he was efficient. Known for his smooth moves and effortless midrange game, Tuadles posted 13.6 points per game over nearly 700 games—a testament to his consistency. He made both the Mythical 5 and 10 and won nine titles throughout a long and productive career. He ranks in the Top 25 in points, assists, and even blocks, a rare feat for a forward of his type. His cool demeanor masked a fiercely competitive nature—one of the league’s underrated legends.
43 | DANNY FLORENCIO | 25 GREATEST PLAYERS - 2000
343 GAMES | 16.9PPG - 2.6RPG - 2.3APG - 0.9SPG - 0.2BPG
MAJOR ACHIEVEMENTS:
PBA HALL OF FAME
SEASON SCORING CHAMPION | 2
CHAMPIONSHIPS | 5
RANKED:
TOP 10 | POINTS, STEALS
BOTTOM 10 | REBOUNDS
Before the era of flashy scorers, there was Danny Florencio—a walking bucket who dropped nearly 17 points per game in just over 300 outings. Despite his short stint, his impact was huge. A PBA Hall of Famer and two-time scoring champion, Florencio electrified crowds with his fearless attacks. He ranks in the Top 10 in points and steals, but also landed in the Bottom 10 in rebounds, a minor footnote to his high-flying style. A pioneer of the "guard as star" archetype long before it became the norm.
42 | YOYOY VILLAMIN | 50 GREATEST PLAYERS - 2025
871 GAMES | 9.8PPG - 6.0RPG - 2.2APG - 0.2SPG - 0.8BPG
MAJOR ACHIEVEMENTS:
MYTHICAL 5 | 1
MYTHICAL 10 | 3
CHAMPIONSHIPS | 9
GRAND SLAM | 1
RANKED:
TOP 10 | BLOCKS
TOP 25 | REBOUNDS
BOTTOM 10 | POINTS, STEALS
A bruiser with a brain, Yoyoy Villamin was one of the most physically imposing players in league history. His 871-game career featured 9.8 points and 6 rebounds per game, numbers that don’t scream dominance—but his defensive presence did. With a Top 10 spot in blocks and Top 25 in rebounds, he was a dependable wall in the paint. He was a Mythical 5 and three-time Mythical 10 honoree, won nine championships, and had a Grand Slam with the Crispa Redmanizers to boot. While he lacked flash, his grind-it-out mentality made him a cornerstone on winning teams.
41 | SAMBOY LIM | 25 GREATEST PLAYERS - 2000
335 GAMES | 16.0PPG - 2.8RPG - 2.0APG - 0.4SPG - 0.7BPG
MAJOR ACHIEVEMENTS:
PBA HALL OF FAME
MYTHICAL 10 | 2
ALL-STAR MVP | 1
CHAMPIONSHIPS | 9
GRAND SLAM | 1
RANKED:
TOP 10 | POINTS
TOP 25 | BLOCKS
BOTTOM 10 | REBOUNDS
The Skywalker. Few nicknames capture a player’s essence as perfectly as this. Samboy Lim had one of the most awe-inspiring highlight reels in PBA history—and that’s saying something. Despite only playing 335 games, he averaged 16 points per game and became a legend thanks to his acrobatics, fearlessness, and sheer charisma. He won nine championships, had a Grand Slam, and was inducted into the PBA Hall of Fame—yet his legacy is more mythic than statistical. Injuries robbed us of his prime, but his influence lives on in every high-flying PBA guard since.
That wraps up the first batch of PBA legends on our Greatest 50 countdown. This group might not have had the most MVPs or gaudy career stats, but they all brought something unique to the table—whether it was style, toughness, intelligence, or pure entertainment value. From Samboy Lim’s flights to Bernie Fabiosa’s steals and Chito Loyzaga’s lockdown defense, these players proved that greatness has many forms.
Up next: spots 31 to 40, where the names only get bigger and the stories even richer.
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