RANKED | THE 50 PBA GREATEST PLAYERS - NUMBERS 31 TO 40

The deeper we go into the PBA 50 Greatest Players list, the tighter the debates become. This batch—from ranks 31 to 40—features a mix of hard-nosed big men, flashy guards, and versatile forwards who made their presence felt in championship dynasties, statistical leaderboards, and iconic moments.

Some are walking highlight reels, while others quietly filled stat sheets and anchored teams to title runs. Whether they excelled in offense, defense, or all-around hustle, these players weren’t just great in their prime—they left legacies that spanned generations.

Let’s dive into this stacked segment of the countdown.

Game starts now.

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40 | MANNY VICTORINO | 50 GREATEST PLAYERS - 2025

728 GAMES | 13.2PPG - 6.1RPG - 1.6APG - 0.3SPG - 1.1BPG

MAJOR ACHIEVEMENTS:

MYTHICAL 5 | 3

MOST IMPROVED PLAYER

CHAMPIONSHIPS | 6

RANKED:

TOP 10 | BLOCKS

TOP 25 | REBOUNDS

BOTTOM 10 | ASSISTS, STEALS

A mainstay of the '80s and early '90s, Manny Victorino was one of the best shot-blockers in PBA history. His defensive instincts, combined with surprising mobility for a big man, made him a constant threat inside the paint. A three-time Mythical 5 member, Victorino played a crucial role in six championship teams, providing both rim protection and reliable low-post scoring. He also earned a Most Improved Player award, a testament to his evolution into a franchise cornerstone. Though he’s near the bottom in assists and steals, his top 10 standing in blocks and top 25 in rebounds show exactly where he made his mark.

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39 | ATO AGUSTIN | 25 GREATEST PLAYERS - 2000

559 GAMES | 14.3PPG - 3.3RPG - 2.7APG - 0.5SPG - 0.1BPG

MAJOR ACHIEVEMENTS:

MVP | 1

MYTHICAL 5 | 3

MYTHICAL 10 | 1

CHAMPIONSHIPS | 6

GRAND SLAM | 1

MOST IMPROVED PLAYER

RANKED:

TOP 25 | POINTS, ASSISTS

BOTTOM 10 | BLOCKS

Known as "The Atom Bomb," Ato Agustin exploded into PBA lore with a rare blend of scoring and finesse. He captured the MVP plum in 1992, leading a San Miguel squad to championship glory in a time when the Beermen were troubled by injuries. A clutch performer and a deadly shooter, Agustin tallied six championships and four Mythical Team selections across his stellar career. Despite being one of the smallest guys on the court, he consistently found ways to put up points and distribute the ball, ranking in the top 25 all-time in points and assists. His inclusion in the 25 Greatest Players list in 2000 already confirmed what we knew—Agustin's impact was much larger than his size.

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38 | RONNIE MAGSANOC | 25 GREATEST PLAYERS - 2000

618 GAMES | 12.7PPG - 2.9RPG - 5.2APG - 0.9SPG - 0.02BPG

MAJOR ACHIEVEMENTS:

PBA HALL OF FAME

MYTHICAL 5 | 1

MYTHICAL 10 | 3

CHAMPIONSHIPS | 3

RANKED:

TOP 10 | ASSISTS, STEALS

BOTTOM 10 | REBOUNDS, BLOCKS

Ronnie Magsanoc was the ultimate floor general. With pinpoint passing and a steady hand from beyond the arc, he orchestrated offenses with surgical precision. A member of the PBA Hall of Fame, Magsanoc carved out a name as one of the most cerebral guards the league has ever seen. He was also no slouch on defense, ranking in the top 10 in both assists and steals—evidence of his two-way capability. Though his numbers won’t jump off the page in terms of scoring or rebounding, his leadership and basketball IQ made him the heartbeat of every team he joined.

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37 | JAYJAY HELTERBRAND | 40 GREATEST PLAYERS - 2015

590 GAMES | 9.1PPG - 3.0RPG - 3.6APG - 0.7SPG - 0.1BPG

MAJOR ACHIEVEMENTS:

MVP | 1

BPC | 2

MYTHICAL 5 | 2

FINALS MVP | 1

ALL-STAR MVP | 2

CHAMPIONSHIPS | 6

RANKED:

TOP 25 | ASSISTS, STEALS

BOTTOM 10 | POINTS, REBOUNDS, BLOCKS

A fast and fearless guard with a flair for the dramatic, Jayjay Helterbrand spent most of his career dazzling fans as one half of the legendary “Fast and the Furious” duo with Mark Caguioa. He won an MVP in 2009, not just for his skills but for his relentless drive to win. Jayjay also bagged multiple BPCs and All-Star MVPs, proving he was more than just a role player in Ginebra's title runs. His all-around numbers—particularly in assists and steals—showcase his versatility, even if his scoring and rebounding ranked lower. Few guards in PBA history have captured hearts and hardware quite like Helterbrand.

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36 | MARC PINGRIS | 40 GREATEST PLAYERS - 2015

657 GAMES | 7.9PPG - 7.3RPG - 1.7APG - 0.5SPG - 0.8BPG

MAJOR ACHIEVEMENTS:

MYTHICAL 10 | 3

FINALS MVP | 2

DEFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE YEAR | 3

ALL-STAR MVP | 1

CHAMPIONSHIPS | 9

GRAND SLAM | 1

MOST IMPROVED PLAYER

RANKED:

TOP 25 | REBOUNDS, BLOCKS

BOTTOM 10 | POINTS, ASSISTS

"Pinoy Sakuragi" wasn’t just a fan favorite—he was a defensive juggernaut. A three-time Defensive Player of the Year, Marc Pingris anchored multiple championship squads with his hustle, heart, and unmatched energy. He was a two-time Finals MVP and a major cog in San Mig Coffee’s Grand Slam in 2014. While he wasn't known for his offensive stats, his top 25 rankings in rebounds and blocks show how valuable he was in the trenches. Whether it was grabbing a tough board or diving for a loose ball, Pingris gave every ounce of effort—and that’s what made him elite.

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35 | SCOTTIE THOMPSON | 50 GREATEST PLAYERS - 2025

362 GAMES | 9.8PPG - 7.7RPG - 5.1APG - 1.2SPG - 0.4BPG (AS OF 2023-24 SEASON)

MAJOR ACHIEVEMENTS:

MVP | 1

BPC | 2

MYTHICAL 5 | 2

MYTHICAL 10 | 1

FINALS MVP | 2

CHAMPIONSHIPS | 7

MOST IMPROVED PLAYER

RANKED:

TOP 10 | REBOUNDS, ASSISTS, STEALS

BOTTOM 10 | POINTS

Still in the prime of his career, Scottie Thompson is redefining what it means to be an all-around player in the PBA. Standing barely 6 feet, Thompson leads the league in hustle stats, routinely crashing the boards and finding teammates in transition. He already has an MVP, two Finals MVPs, and seven championships under his belt, all while being a consistent triple-double threat. Despite ranking bottom 10 in scoring, he’s in the top 10 for rebounds, assists, and steals—a rare feat for a guard. Thompson’s modern-day impact ensures his legacy is already cemented among the league’s greatest.

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34 | KELLY WILLIAMS | 40 GREATEST PLAYERS - 2015

674 GAMES | 9.9PPG - 7.3RPG - 1.3APG - 0.8SPG - 0.5BPG (AS OF 2023-24 SEASON)

MAJOR ACHIEVEMENTS:

MVP | 1

BPC | 1

MYTHICAL 5 | 3

MYTHICAL 10 | 4

CHAMPIONSHIPS | 10

ROOKIE OF THE YEAR

RANKED:

TOP 10 | REBOUNDS

TOP 25 | STEALS, BLOCKS

BOTTOM 10 | POINTS, ASSISTS

Few big men were as athletic as Kelly Williams. Known for his thunderous dunks and defensive tenacity, Williams burst onto the scene as Rookie of the Year before quickly claiming an MVP award with the Sta. Lucia Realtors. His resume includes 10 championships, multiple Mythical selections, and a BPC nod—highlighting his longevity and consistent impact. Williams ranks in the top 10 in rebounds and top 25 in both steals and blocks, proving he was a two-way threat despite his quiet offensive numbers. With a career spanning nearly two decades, Kelly's value was in his ability to evolve and still dominate.

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33 | HECTOR CALMA | 25 GREATEST PLAYERS - 2000

389 GAMES | 9.8PPG - 2.4RPG - 5.1APG - 0.8SPG - 0.1BPG

MAJOR ACHIEVEMENTS:

PBA HALL OF FAME

MYTHICAL 5 | 3

CHAMPIONSHIPS | 9

GRAND SLAM | 1

RANKED:

TOP 10 | ASSISTS

TOP 10 | STEALS

BOTTOM 10 | POINTS, REBOUNDS, BLOCKS

Hector "The Director" Calma may not have gaudy stats, but his impact on the game was anything but subtle. A true pass-first point guard, Calma guided San Miguel to a Grand Slam and nine titles overall during the franchise’s golden era. His inclusion in the PBA Hall of Fame and three Mythical 5 selections speak volumes about his court command and leadership. He ranks in the top 10 in assists and steals, which is remarkable considering his scoring role. Calma was the quiet engine that kept the machine running smoothly—and that’s what made him legendary.

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32 | MARLOU AQUINO | 40 GREATEST PLAYERS - 2015

852 GAMES | 13.1PPG - 6.4RPG - 1.8APG - 0.2SPG - 1.9BPG

MAJOR ACHIEVEMENTS:

BPC | 1

MYTHICAL 5 | 2

MYTHICAL 10 | 2

FINALS MVP | 1

DEFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE YEAR | 1

ALL-STAR MVP | 1

CHAMPIONSHIPS | 3

ROOKIE OF THE YEAR

RANKED:

TOP 10 | BLOCKS

TOP 25 | REBOUNDS

BOTTOM 10 | STEALS

Standing 6’9”, Marlou Aquino changed the game with his length and skill. Dubbed "The Skyscraper," Aquino was a towering presence inside the paint, winning Rookie of the Year and quickly becoming one of the league’s premier shot blockers. He ranks in the top 10 in blocks and top 25 in rebounds, and his 13.1 career PPG proves he was a capable scorer, too. Marlou’s impact wasn't just statistical—he helped define the identity of the 90s Ginebra and Sta. Lucia squads. With a BPC, Finals MVP, Defensive Player of the Year, and three championships, Marlou’s greatness was never in question.

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31 | ERIC MENK | 40 GREATEST PLAYERS - 2015

552 GAMES | 12.0PPG - 8.1RPG - 1.7APG - 0.3SPG - 0.4BPG

MAJOR ACHIEVEMENTS:

MVP | 1

BPC | 3

MYTHICAL 5 | 1

MYTHICAL 10 | 1

FINALS MVP | 3

SEASON SCORING CHAMPION | 1

CHAMPIONSHIPS | 4

RANKED:

TOP 10 | REBOUNDS

BOTTOM 10 | ASSISTS, STEALS

Eric Menk was one of the most dominant forwards in the 2000s, equally dangerous in the paint and on the boards. A former MVP, Menk led all locals in scoring one season and piled up three Best Player of the Conference trophies in the process. He racked up four championships and three Finals MVPs while remaining one of the most consistent rebounders of his era—ranking top 10 all-time in boards. Though he lands in the bottom 10 in assists and steals, his physical presence and clutch play made him a nightmare matchup for opposing teams.

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From Marlou’s blocks to Scottie’s boards, from Ato’s smooth stroke to Pingris’ grit—this portion of the Top 50 tells the story of how greatness comes in many forms. Some of these legends got their due right away; others built their legacies brick by brick. But all of them, regardless of stat line or spotlight, earned their spot in history through hard work, winning plays, and unforgettable moments. With 30 names down and 20 more to go, the list is only heating up.

The next wave of legends is just around the corner.

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