MYTHICAL SECOND TEAM PART 2 | THE 1976 PBA SEASON

The Mythical Second Team was first introduced in 1984. Before that, from 1975 to 1983, only the top five players in the league got Mythical Team honors. Atoy Co leads the pack with eight Mythical First Team selections, and with him locked in those top five spots, a lot of deserving players missed out on recognition. That’s where this series comes in.

Picking the best in the league is always subjective and debatable, and plenty of players have strong cases for inclusion. So let’s break it down—stats, team impact, and overall contributions to the PBA.

Join me as we shine a light on the players who could have made the Mythical Second Team and give them the props they deserve.

THE FIRST TEAM

BOGS ADORNADO | CRISPA

MOST VALUABLE PLAYER / GRAND SLAM CHAMPION

38 GAMES | 25.7PPG, 3.4RPG, 2.0APG

WIN-LOSS RECORD | 47 - 15

FIRST CONFERENCE | CHAMPION

SECOND CONFERENCE | CHAMPION 

ALL-PHILIPPINE CONFERENCE | CHAMPION 

RAMON FERNANDEZ | TOYOTA

58 GAMES | 16.2PPG, 8.5RPG, 3.4APG, 1.6SPG, 2.3BPG

WIN-LOSS RECORD | 46 - 15

FIRST CONFERENCE | FINALIST

SECOND CONFERENCE | FINALIST

ALL-PHILIPPINE CONFERENCE | FINALIST  

ATOY CO | CRISPA

GRAND SLAM CHAMPION

61 GAMES | 19.9PPG, 3.5RPG, 3.6APG, 0.9SPG

WIN-LOSS RECORD | 47 - 15

FIRST CONFERENCE | CHAMPION 

SECOND CONFERENCE | CHAMPION 

ALL-PHILIPPINE CONFERENCE | CHAMPION 

FRANCIS ARNAIZ | TOYOTA

57 GAMES | 20.4PPG, 2.5, 5.1APG, 0.9SPG

WIN-LOSS RECORD | 46 - 15 

FIRST CONFERENCE | FINALIST

SECOND CONFERENCE | FINALIST

ALL-PHILIPPINE CONFERENCE | FINALIST  

PHILIP CEZAR | CRISPA

GRAND SLAM CHAMPION

51 GAMES | 12.6PPG, 6.0RPG, 1.8APG, 1.3BPG

WIN-LOSS RECORD | 47 - 15

FIRST CONFERENCE | CHAMPION 

SECOND CONFERENCE | CHAMPION 

ALL-PHILIPPINE CONFERENCE | CHAMPION 

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THE SECOND TEAM

ROBERT JAWORSKI | TOYOTA

57 GAMES | 15.5PPG, 6.7RPG, 5.5APG, 1.3SPG

WIN-LOSS RECORD | 46 - 15 

FIRST CONFERENCE | FINALIST

SECOND CONFERENCE | FINALIST

ALL-PHILIPPINE CONFERENCE | FINALIST  

Even when he wasn’t making the Mythical First Team, Jawo’s all-around game and leadership were undeniable. Averaging 15.5 points, 6.7 rebounds, and 5.5 assists across 57 games, he remained the heart and soul of Toyota, guiding them to three straight finals appearances. His numbers weren’t just about stuffing the stat sheet—his presence elevated his teammates and kept his squad in title contention. Jaworski could have been First Team material, had it not for Crispa's grand slam season.

MANNY PANER | ROYAL

46 GAMES | 20.7PPG, 9.7RPG, 1.5APG, 0.8BPG

WIN-LOSS RECORD | 22 - 24

FIRST CONFERENCE | DID NOT PLACE

SECOND CONFERENCE | THIRD PLACE

ALL-PHILIPPINE CONFERENCE | DID NOT PLACE

A bruising force in the paint, Manny Paner put up big numbers despite Royal’s up-and-down season. Averaging 20.7 points and 9.7 rebounds in 46 games, he remained one of the league’s most reliable big men, combining scoring efficiency with a strong inside presence. But this was a step down from the previous season, no thanks to the Orangemen's win-loss record. While Royal struggled to stay competitive, Paner helped them secure a third-place finish in the Second Conference.

OMPONG SEGURA | TOYOTA

61 GAMES | 17.3PPG, 3.7RPG, 0.3BPG

WIN-LOSS RECORD | 46 - 15 

FIRST CONFERENCE | FINALIST

SECOND CONFERENCE | FINALIST

ALL-PHILIPPINE CONFERENCE | FINALIST  

A key offensive weapon for powerhouse Toyota, Ompong Segura delivered consistent scoring all season long. Putting up 17.3 points per game in 61 games, he played a crucial role in Toyota’s dominant 46-15 record and three straight finals appearances. While he wasn’t the biggest name on the roster, compared to Fernandez, Arnaiz, and Jaworski, Ompong's ability to provide instant offense and complement the team’s stars made him an invaluable asset. Segura will lose his spot with the arrival of rookie phenom Arnie Tuadles.

FREDDIE HUBALDE | CRISPA

GRAND SLAM CHAMPION

58 GAMES | 12.3PPG, 5.2RPG, 2.2APG

WIN-LOSS RECORD | 47 - 15

FIRST CONFERENCE | CHAMPION 

SECOND CONFERENCE | CHAMPION 

ALL-PHILIPPINE CONFERENCE | CHAMPION 

This season was just the prelude to his rise, and his key role in Crispa’s championship sweep makes him a no-brainer for the Mythical Second Team. Playing in the shadow of Bogs Adornado, Freddie Hubalde still found ways to shine in Crispa’s Grand Slam season. Averaging 12.3 points, 5.2 rebounds, and 2.2 assists in 58 games, he was a steady contributor on a team stacked with firepower. While he didn’t crack the Mythical First Team, it was more about circumstances than performance—his time was coming. In 1977, with Adornado sidelined, Hubalde stepped up and claimed the league MVP award.

ESTOY ESTRADA | ROYAL

43 GAMES | 23.6PPG, 4.8RPG, 1.4APG

WIN-LOSS RECORD | 22 - 24

FIRST CONFERENCE | DID NOT PLACE

SECOND CONFERENCE | THIRD PLACE

ALL-PHILIPPINE CONFERENCE | DID NOT PLACE

Estoy Estrada was an absolute bucket-getter, dropping 23.6 points per game in just 43 games. He was the team’s go-to scorer alongside Paner, carrying much of the offensive load and keeping them competitive. While his team struggled to break into title contention, Estrada’s ability to light up the scoreboard made him one of the league’s elite scorers. Like Manny Paner, he could have had a back-to-back Mythical First Team spot, but it's hard to take out the Crispa and Toyota players.

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So this ends the first edition of this series. Suppose you're going to ask the next five players on this list. In that case, I'll have Crispa's Rudy Soriano, Royal's Yoyong Martirez, Mariwasa-Noritake's Rey Alcantara, Crispa's Bernie Fabiosa, and N-Rich's Loreto Tolentino, who in 30 games, averaged an astounding 26.97ppg.

Do you like the first installment of the series? Sound off your comments below.