MAPPED | ABET GUIDABEN - THE MANY STOPS OF THE MVP'S HALL OF FAME CAREER

Abet Guidaben, a former two-time PBA MVP, stands out as an exceptional player in the history of Philippine basketball.

His achievements include winning the prestigious grand slam not once, but twice, a feat accomplished by only a handful of players. As a testament to his talent and impact on the game, Guidaben was recognized as one of the 40 greatest players in the PBA.

However, what truly sets Guidaben apart is his unique journey through multiple teams throughout his career. For two decades, from 1975 to 1995, Guidaben played for an astonishing total of eight different franchises in the PBA. This makes him the only PBA MVP to have experienced such a remarkable range of team affiliations.

Guidaben's career can be likened to that of a journeyman, a term often used to describe athletes who move from team to team throughout their careers. While some players establish long-lasting partnerships with a single franchise, Guidaben's path took him on a different trajectory. Each new team provided a fresh opportunity for him to showcase his skills and contribute to their success.

In this edition of Mapped, we delve into the intriguing reasons behind Guidaben's unique career as an MVP journeyman. We explore the factors that influenced his moves between teams, examine the impact he had on each franchise, and shed light on the challenges and triumphs he encountered along the way. Join us as we unravel the captivating story of Abet Guidaben's journey through the PBA, a tale filled with twists, turns, and a legacy that continues to resonate in Philippine basketball history.

Abet Guidaben was never meant to be a journeyman. He was a cornerstone of the legendary Crispa Redmanizers, a team that dominated the PBA from the very beginning—both in championships and individual accolades.

In 1983, Crispa secured its second grand slam, and Guidaben claimed his first MVP award, becoming the fifth Redmanizer to do so after Bogs Adornado (1975, 1976), Freddie Hubalde (1977), Atoy Co (1979), and Philip Cezar (1980).

Then, Philippine politics took a turn, bringing economic struggles in its wake.

In 1984, Crispa followed in Toyota's footsteps and disbanded, scattering its players across the league. Guidaben landed with the Tanduay Rhum Masters, another founding PBA franchise. Unlike Crispa, Toyota, U-Tex, Great Taste, and San Miguel though, Tanduay had never won a title. With the league’s powerhouses gone and Guidaben in their ranks, Tanduay looked poised for a breakthrough.

But when an opportunity arose to trade Guidaben for Ramon Fernandez, Tanduay couldn’t refuse. It turned out to be the right move—Fernandez led them to three championships, while it took Guidaben ten conferences to win another title.

When Manila Beer (formerly Beer Hausen) folded after the 1986 season, he was picked up by San Miguel. It was a perfect fit. Guidaben won two more titles from 1987 to 1988 and earned his second MVP award in 1987.

The rivalry with Fernandez resurfaced in 1988 when Guidaben was traded to Purefoods for El Presidente himself. However, his time with the young franchise was short-lived. Baby Dalupan, his former Crispa coach, opted to prioritize his young big men—Alvin Patrimonio, Jerry Codinera, Jack Tanuan, and rookie Nelson Asaytono. As a result, Guidaben was shipped to Alaska for a first-round pick that turned into Gido Babilonia. Another brief stint followed as he was soon dealt to Pepsi Mega for Harmon Codinera.

Guidaben had his moments with Pepsi/7-Up, but the team struggled. In 1993, he signed with Shell, the franchise that carried the Crispa lineage, before retiring in 1995—a season after Fernandez hung up his jersey.

His 1988 championship with San Miguel turned out to be his last, and in some ways, that trade to Purefoods may have cost him a third grand slam.

To call Guidaben’s career a disappointment is absurd. He ranks among the PBA’s all-time greats—two MVPs, two grand slams, and 16 championships speak for themselves. He didn’t bounce from team to team because he couldn't deliver—he was simply in demand, a hired gun in an era when many pioneers moved around. When Crispa disbanded, he was already 32, an age where even today’s rookies are often considered a gamble. And while his scoring dipped to single digits in his 40s, that only proves his longevity. Few players, in any era, can match what Guidaben accomplished.