RANKED | THE 50 PBA GREATEST PLAYERS - NUMBERS 11 TO 20
- Syd Salazar
- Apr 19
- 7 min read
We’re hitting the sweet spot now.
In this part of the countdown, we enter the elite zone—legends whose names ring through different eras and generations. They weren’t just stars—they were game changers. From electric scorers and cerebral floor generals to rock-solid big men and crowd favorites, players ranked 11 to 20 had the stats, the rings, the hardware, and most of all, the impact. Some defined an era, some redefined their positions, and some became the reason kids picked up a basketball.
Let’s keep it rolling with spots 20 to 11.
Game starts now.
20 | MARK CAGUIOA | 40 GREATEST PLAYERS - 2015
742 GAMES | 13.6PPG - 4.4RPG - 2.1APG - 0.7SPG - 0.1BPG
MAJOR ACHIEVEMENTS:
MVP | 1
BPC | 3
MYTHICAL 5 | 3
MYTHICAL 10 | 2
SEASON SCORING CHAMPION | 3
ROOKIE OF THE YEAR
CHAMPIONSHIPS | 9
RANKED:
TOP 25 | POINTS, STEALS
BOTTOM 10 | BLOCKS
There’s flash, there’s flair, and then there’s The Spark. Mark Caguioa wasn’t just popular—he was magnetic. He brought a streetball vibe into the PBA and turned it into championships. With 9 titles, an MVP, and 3 scoring crowns, Caguioa became the heart and soul of the Barangay Ginebra revival era. He had the green light, the go-ahead, and the guts to take the big shots—and fans loved him for it. Despite being in the bottom 10 in blocks, he was never on the floor to swat shots—he was there to get buckets and energize the crowd.
19 | WILLIE MILLER | 40 GREATEST PLAYERS - 2015
628 GAMES | 13.7PPG - 4.5RPG - 3.8APG - 0.9SPG - 0.1BPG
MAJOR ACHIEVEMENTS:
MVP | 2
BPC | 2
MYTHICAL 5 | 3
MYTHICAL 10 | 2
FINALS MVP | 2
ALL-STAR MVP | 1
CHAMPIONSHIPS | 4
RANKED:
TOP 25 | POINTS, REBOUNDS, ASSISTS, STEALS
Willie Miller played like jazz—smooth, spontaneous, and sometimes unpredictable. A two-time MVP, Finals MVP winner, and an all-around guard, Miller was a mismatch nightmare. He could bully smaller guards, shake off bigger defenders, and drop a dagger three with a grin. His top-25 finishes in scoring, rebounding, assists, and steals show how complete his game was. Though he only won four titles, he did it with different squads, proving his game translated everywhere. In his prime, Miller was the best show on the floor—and he knew it.
18 | JAMES YAP | 40 GREATEST PLAYERS - 2015
753 GAMES | 14.6PPG - 3.8RPG - 1.4APG - 0.6SPG - 0.2BPG
MAJOR ACHIEVEMENTS:
MVP | 2
BPC | 1
MYTHICAL 5 | 3
MYTHICAL 10 | 1
FINALS MVP | 4
ALL-STAR MVP | 1
SEASON SCORING CHAMPION | 1
CHAMPIONSHIPS | 7
GRAND SLAM | 1
RANKED:
TOP 25 | POINTS
BOTTOM 10 | ASSISTS
You could call him “Big Game James,” and it still wouldn’t capture how big his moments were. James Yap was the master of drama—a player who saved his best for the brightest lights. With 7 championships, 4 Finals MVPs, 2 league MVPs, and a Grand Slam under his belt, Yap turned a silky shooting stroke into a decorated legacy. Even though he’s bottom 10 in assists, nobody asked him to be a playmaker—his job was to score, and boy, did he deliver. Few players commanded the arena like Yap when he caught fire.
17 | DANNY SEIGLE | 50 GREATEST PLAYERS - 2025
566 GAMES | 14.8PPG - 5.6RPG - 1.7APG - 0.5SPG - 0.5BPG
MAJOR ACHIEVEMENTS:
BPC | 5
MYTHICAL 5 | 3
MYTHICAL 10 | 1
FINALS MVP | 4
ALL-STAR MVP | 1
ROOKIE OF THE YEAR
CHAMPIONSHIPS | 8
RANKED:
TOP 25 | POINTS, REBOUNDS, BLOCKS
BOTTOM 10 | ASSISTS
If injuries didn’t interrupt his prime, Danny Seigle might be in the top 10 of this list. Still, his body of work remains legendary. With 8 championships, 4 Finals MVPs, and 5 BPCs, Seigle was a walking mismatch—too quick for bigs, too strong for wings. He attacked the rim like it owed him money and drained jumpers with ease. What’s wild is he ranks among the top 25 in scoring, rebounding, and even blocks—showing he was more than just offense. Bottom 10 in assists? Sure. But when you can drop 20+ on any given night, passing becomes optional.
16 | ASI TAULAVA | 40 GREATEST PLAYERS - 2015
625 GAMES | 13.7PPG - 10.3RPG - 2.0APG - 0.4SPG - 0.7BPG
MAJOR ACHIEVEMENTS:
MVP | 1
BPC | 1
MYTHICAL 5 | 4
MYTHICAL 10 | 4
FINALS MVP | 1
ALL-STAR MVP | 2
SEASON SCORING CHAMPION | 4
CHAMPIONSHIPS | 1
RANKED:
TOP 10 | REBOUNDS
TOP 25 | POINTS, BLOCKS
The Rock. Enough said. Asi Taulava was a force of nature when he entered the league—muscling his way into the MVP race and redefining what a dominant big man looked like in the modern PBA. With over 10 rebounds per game, he remains one of the few to average a double-double over such a long stretch. He made a name in the 2000s but stretched his impact well into the next decade. He didn’t win as many titles as others on this list, but his influence and longevity make him one of the most respected to ever lace them up.
15 | DANNY ILDEFONSO | 25 GREATEST PLAYERS - 2000
715 GAMES | 10.8PPG - 6.0RPG - 2.3APG - 0.6SPG - 0.7BPG
MAJOR ACHIEVEMENTS:
MVP | 2
BPC | 5
MYTHICAL 5 | 2
MYTHICAL 10 | 3
FINALS MVP | 3
ALL-STAR MVP | 1
ROOKIE OF THE YEAR
CHAMPIONSHIPS | 8
RANKED:
TOP 25 | REBOUNDS, STEALS, BLOCKS
BOTTOM 10 | POINTS
Some call him "The Demolition Man"—not just because of his strength but because of how he dismantled defenses. Danny Ildefonso played with smarts, skill, and swagger. He didn’t always fill the scoring column, but he made winning plays on both ends of the floor. His two MVPs, five BPCs, and eight championships speak volumes. Ildefonso was the ideal cornerstone for any contender—selfless, physical, and unshakable. And while he ranks in the bottom 10 in points, he’s top 25 in rebounds, steals, and blocks—a testament to his all-around value.
14 | JOHNNY ABARRIENTOS | 25 GREATEST PLAYERS - 2000
742 GAMES | 11.6PPG - 3.9RPG - 5.1APG - 1.8SPG - 0.1BPG
MAJOR ACHIEVEMENTS:
MVP | 1
BPC | 1
MYTHICAL 5 | 6
MYTHICAL 10 | 1
FINALS MVP | 2
CHAMPIONSHIPS | 12
GRAND SLAM | 1
RANKED:
TOP 25 | ASSISTS, STEALS
BOTTOM 10 | BLOCKS
The Flying A wasn’t the biggest guard—but he was always in control. Johnny Abarrientos ran the triangle offense like a conductor and defended like a pest. A 12-time champion and 1996 MVP, he led the Alaska dynasty with vision and toughness. His top 25 marks in assists and steals prove how disruptive and effective he was at both ends. Despite being in the bottom 10 in blocks, his speed and smarts often made up for it. When you talk about great point guards in PBA history, Abarrientos is always in the first breath.
13 | RICARDO BROWN | 25 GREATEST PLAYERS - 2000
340 GAMES | 23.1PPG - 3.4RPG - 7.3APG - 0.8SPG - 0.1BPG
MAJOR ACHIEVEMENTS:
MVP | 1
MYTHICAL 5 | 5
MYTHICAL 10 | 1
SEASON SCORING CHAMPION | 3
ROOKIE OF THE YEAR
CHAMPIONSHIPS | 8
GRAND SLAM | 1
RANKED:
TOP 10 | POINTS, ASSISTS
TOP 25 | STEALS
BOTTOM 10 | BLOCKS
One of the smoothest players ever to grace his presence in the league. Ricardo Brown only played 340 games, but his impact was seismic. Averaging over 23 points and 7 assists per game, Brown redefined guard play in the 80s. He was the first Filipino-American to win MVP and played a key role in building San Miguel’s success. A Grand Slam winner, Rookie of the Year, and 3-time scoring champ, Brown’s short but dominant run cements his top-tier status. He wasn’t a shot blocker, but he was too busy torching defenses to worry about that.
12 | JAYSON CASTRO | 40 GREATEST PLAYERS - 2015
671 GAMES | 14.3PPG - 3.9RPG - 4.6APG - 1.1SPG - 0.3BPG (AS OF THE 2023-24 PBA SEASON)
MAJOR ACHIEVEMENTS:
BPC | 5
MYTHICAL 5 | 5
MYTHICAL 10 | 3
FINALS MVP | 3
SEASON SCORING CHAMPION | 1
MOST IMPROVED PLAYER
CHAMPIONSHIPS | 10
RANKED:
TOP 25 | ASSISTS, STEALS
TOP 25 | POINTS
The Blur lived up to the nickname. Jayson Castro’s lightning-quick first step terrorized defenders for over a decade. With 5 BPCs, 10 titles, and a Finals MVP resume, he was the engine that made TNT go. While known for his speed, Castro was also an efficient playmaker and underrated defender—ranking in the top 25 in points, assists, and steals. At his peak, he was arguably the best guard in Asia, period. And unlike others, his greatness aged well—he’s still contributing well into his late 30s.
11 | ABET GUIDABEN | 25 GREATEST PLAYERS - 2000
1082 GAMES | 14.6PPG - 7.9RPG - 2.1APG - 0.3SPG - 0.9BPG
MAJOR ACHIEVEMENTS:
PBA HALL OF FAME
MVP | 2
MYTHICAL 5 | 5
CHAMPIONSHIPS | 16
GRAND SLAM | 2
RANKED:
TOP 10 | REBOUNDS, BLOCKS
TOP 25 | POINTS
BOTTOM 10 | STEALS
Abet Guidaben was Tim Duncan before Tim Duncan was even a thing. Quiet, efficient, fundamentally sound—and loaded with rings. With 16 championships and 2 MVPs, he was the league’s steadiest presence during the 70s and 80s. He ranks in the top 10 in rebounds and blocks, proving how dominant he was down low. Despite being in the bottom 10 in steals, Guidaben always found a way to impose his will without needing to gamble. He wasn't flashy, but his career speaks volumes. You win with players like Abet Guidaben.
We’re officially knocking on the door of the top 10.
From Yap’s clutch gene to Castro’s speed and Seigle’s dominance to Abarrientos' cerebral flair, this batch showed us that greatness comes in different forms.
Some brought titles.
Some brought transformation.
All brought fire.
Next up: the Top 10.
The gods of the hardwood.
The pillars of PBA greatness.
Get Sydrified.
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