I think 15 years ago, I made some sort of vanity project wherein I listed down my 100 Best PBA Careers of All-Time.
I say “careers” because saying the “greatest” has its own pros and cons. One “con” is that I value historical stats and try to give bonus points to the pioneers. Also, we have our own favorite players, so the “greatest” tag is also going to measure a legend’s fandom. While it’s easy to rate the awesomeness of Robert Jaworski, Alvin Patrimonio, James Yap, Hector Calma, and Samboy Lim on top of this category, it might not be the case for a Ginebra hater, a San Miguel troll, and a Purefoods critic.
Or a U/Tex Wrangler?
I lowkey love their jerseys.
Also, I made this list by researching their stats and making 300 players duke it out. When I first made this list in the mid-2000s in the hoops.blink.ph website, it had the likes of Jun Papa, Ompong Segura, Bal David, Rey Cuenco, Larry Mumar, Marte Saldana, Rudy Kutch, Andy Seigle, Elmer Cabahug, Boybits Victoria, Willie Pearson, Roger Yap, Dondon Ampalayo, Rene Canent, Wynne Arboleda, Mick Pennisi, Noy Castillo, Vince Hizon, Pido Jarencio, Chris Jackson, and Yoyong Martirez. When I made the current version of this list, I considered a couple of names that are still playing like CJ Perez, Ian Sangalang, Jeff Chan, Solomon Mercado, Poy Erram, and Chris Newsome.
Spoiler alert, these guys never made the list.
Unlike my first Best Careers list, I have gotten hold of the career averages of the PBA legends from 1975 up until the present. I know their best seasons and their worst seasons as well. When I created my list back then, I zeroed in on the players I wanted to make the list. With that said, I had LA Tenorio at number 88 then.
LA Tenorio is going to be a lot higher on this list.
If you remember PBFantasy, the PBA-based fantasy game from the mid-2000s, I created a stat equivalent that is somewhat similar to its grading system. Points are 1.25, rebounds are 1.5, assists are 2, steals are 2.5, and blocks are 2.75. I gave points an additional .25 because an okay PBA season average is more or less, seven points per game. Meanwhile, I gave an additional 0.25 points on blocks because with the exception of an elite few, swatting shots in the PBA is an extremely monumental task.
In terms of other categories, I considered the MVP, Mythical Team selection, BPC, Finals MVP, Defensive Player of the Year, All-Star MVP, Rookie of the Year, Most Improved Player, 40 Greatest Players list, scoring titles, championships, and grand slams. I also gave away phantom Mythical points for the players who were Top 15 in my tabulation from 1975 up until 1983 – or the times the league didn’t have the Mythical Second Team selection.
I also considered the milestones and the games played. I never had the need to put extra points other than the phantom pioneer points, but I am going to create a mini-tourney for the top players within a particular range (91 to 100, 81 to 90, etc.) based on the number of individual awards they accumulated. The players with an MVP, BPC, Mythical First Team, Mythical Second Team, and Finals MVP will have an advantage (in that order.) For example, if the number 100 guy and the number 99 guy had two individual awards, the one with the BPC would trump the one with the Finals MVP award (since the BPC covered more conference scope than the Finals MVP.) If there is still a deadlock, then the number of championships they won will come into play.
And oh yeah, I almost forgot. Instead of writing why they are on this list, I am going to write about why they are RANKED THIS LOW on the list. I made this change so the blog wouldn’t get too wordy and you probably know why these legends are in this place in the first place. The most obvious red flags are the pioneer’s curse, injury bugs, low overall stats, limited amounts of awards and championships, journeyman status causing the statistical decline, and even off-court antics.
So it’s time to dive headfirst on this list. If you have violent reactions, you can just share it with your friends to say what an utter moron I am. But here’s the thing – this is my list... and you can make yours if you want... and I will respect it.
The game starts now.
80 | MARCIO LASSITER
2011 – 2023 | 2011 PBA DRAFT – POWERADE – 4TH OVERALL
AVERAGES: 13.1PPG – 3.9RPG – 2.6APG – 1.0SPG – 488 GAMES
MILESTONES: 6300 POINTS – 1800 REBOUNDS – 1200 ASSISTS
AWARDS AND ACCOMPLISHMENTS:
1-TIME MYTHICAL FIRST TEAM
9-TIME CHAMPION
There was a time, during his Powerade days when it seemed like Marcio Lassiter might have a career reminiscent of Rudy Hatfield. While he's not a power forward, his early gameplay, especially during his time with Smart-Gilas, showcased Lassiter as a defensive combo forward. In fact, during his lone season with the Tigers, he achieved career-best averages in points, rebounds, assists, steals, and blocks.
However, when he was traded to San Miguel, he still maintained his scoring capability but transitioned into more of a 3-and-D player. Despite being in the league for over a decade and contributing alongside players like June Mar Fajardo, Arwind Santos, Alex Cabagnot, Chris Ross, and more recently, CJ Perez, it's surprising that Lassiter has only earned one Mythical Team selection given his achievements. He does have a 13.1 scoring average though. So from a smaller version of The H-Bomb, he transitioned into a more stat-hungry equivalent of Dondon Hontiveros. Nothing wrong with this but again, if you saw his rookie season, the difference in his gameplay is night and day.
79 | WILLIE GENERALAO
1980 – 1991 | DIRECT HIRE – GILBEY’S GIN
AVERAGES: 8.0PPG – 2.5RPG – 5.9APG – 1.2SPG – 550 GAMES
MILESTONES: 4300 POINTS – 1300 REBOUNDS – 3200 ASSISTS – 600 STEALS
AWARDS AND ACCOMPLISHMENTS:
1-TIME MYTHICAL SECOND TEAM
ROOKIE OF THE YEAR
4-TIME CHAMPION
Willie Generalao's future as a coach was apparent due to his authoritative presence every time he stepped onto the court. The General had a pass-first approach, prioritizing setting up his teammates over creating scoring opportunities for himself. However, this doesn't mean he couldn't contribute as a scorer when needed. During his first five seasons with Gilbey's Gin (Ginebra), Generalao averaged 10.8 points, 6.9 assists, and 1.4 steals.
However, the entry of Robert Jaworski to Ginebra after the disbandment of Toyota prompted Generalao to play elsewhere in the following season. Playing for the Tanduay Rhum Masters, Generalao's scoring average declined. It's important to note that during the 1980s, the league consisted of just six teams, and Generalao had to share the spotlight with other point guards in their respective roles. Despite being at the peak of his career, he was occasionally required to serve as a backup point guard. His unselfish and versatile style of play though made him a valuable asset to his teams.
78 | DANNY FLORENCIO
1975 – 1983 | PIONEER – U/TEX
AVERAGES: 16.9PPG – 2.6RPG – 2.3APG – 0.9SPG – 343 GAMES
MILESTONES: 5700 POINTS
AWARDS AND ACCOMPLISHMENTS:
2-TIME SEASON SCORING CHAMPION
6-TIME CHAMPION
40 GREATEST PLAYERS IN PBA HISTORY
Danny Florencio was a brand name even before he played in the PBA. The former Olympian and MICAA star was about to turn 28 when the league started but in the eight seasons he played in, his ability to score is undeniable. In fact, The Original Skywalker is the only player to average 30 points in one season. And before Allan Caidic scored 68 points in 1989, Florencio held an almost 12-year record for most points in a single game while playing for the U/Tex Wranglers with 64 points.
However, apart from the two scoring titles, Florencio also never got a Mythical Team selection. At the start of his PBA career, Florencio played for non-championship teams, and in the second half of his PBA career, he was with the star-studded Toyota squad. It also didn't help that he only played for eight seasons in the league.
77 | LIM ENG BENG
1975 – 1986 | PIONEER – CONCEPCION CARRIER
AVERAGES: 14.0PPG – 2.9RPG – 2.9APG – 0.9SPG – 416 GAMES
MILESTONES: 5800 POINTS – 1200 REBOUNDS – 1200 ASSISTS
AWARDS AND ACCOMPLISHMENTS:
1-TIME MYTHICAL FIRST TEAM
3-TIME CHAMPION
40 GREATEST PLAYERS IN PBA HISTORY
Lim Eng Beng was undeniably one of the NCAA's all-time great players. His contributions were so highly regarded the DLSU Green Archers retired his #14 jersey. In the PBA, Lim successfully carried his talents to the professional level with great enthusiasm.
In some ways, playing outside the Crispa-Toyota rivalry is both a blessing and a curse for Lim Eng Beng. U/Tex, probably the league's first small-market squad, was the third-best team in the first six seasons of the PBA, winning two of the league's 18 championships. Beng also played in a time when individual awards were scarce and were mostly won by either Crispa or Toyota. While Lim Eng Beng was able to play for Crispa in their final season, this 3-and-D legend would have had better awards if his era didn't have these handicaps.
76 | AL SOLIS
1987 – 2001 | 1987 PBA DRAFT – HILLS BROS (ALASKA) – 2ND OVERALL
AVERAGES: 10.6PPG – 2.3RPG – 2.7APG – 0.5SPG – 680 GAMES
MILESTONES: 7200 POINTS – 1500 REBOUNDS – 1800 ASSISTS
AWARDS AND ACCOMPLISHMENTS:
2-TIME MYTHICAL FIRST TEAM
5-TIME CHAMPION
Al Solis' remarkable talent for sinking three-pointers. In fact, he has 1,000 of them. The former UV Green Lancer ranks as one of the deadliest 3-point shooters in the league's history. Initially recognized as an impact player with Purefoods, Solis experienced his best years when he played for the Swift Mighty Meaties, earning two Mythical Five citations during his tenure.
While Solis is known as a long-distance specialist, it feels as if he got the opportunity to score heavy minutes with Swift because the team was an expansion squad. As soon as the franchise drafted Boybits Victoria, Solis' role slowly diminished. He is also a three-and-D guy and usually, these kinds of players have good scoring numbers but not much else in the other categories.
75 | DINDO PUMAREN
1989 – 2002 | 1989 PBA DRAFT – PUREFOODS – 7TH OVERALL
AVERAGES: 7.6PPG – 2.3RPG – 5.8APG – 1.3SPG – 692 GAMES
MILESTONES: 5200 POINTS – 1500 REBOUNDS – 4000 ASSISTS – 900 STEALS
AWARDS AND ACCOMPLISHMENTS:
2-TIME MYTHICAL SECOND TEAM
4-TIME CHAMPION
Sev Sarmenta gave Dindo Pumaren his "Bullet" moniker for his style of play. He is the PBA's version of John Stockton. Pumaren is a pass-first point guard with lightning-quick reflexes, making him an excellent playmaker and a strong defensive presence. During the peak of his career at Purefoods, he helped the team win four championships and because of this, Pumaren was selected to two Mythical Second Teams.
There was a time when Pumaren was seen as a superstar during his brief stint with the Pepsi Megas. However, the ten-time all-star is better off as the ball feeder to Alvin Patrimonio and Jerry Codinera. Because of his role, Pumaren missed out on a Mythical Five citation, which went to players like Johnny Abarrientos, and former teammates like Olsen Racela, and Al Solis instead.
74 | TERRY SALDANA
1982 – 2000 | DIRECT HIRE – TOYOTA
AVERAGES: 8.4PPG – 6.0RPG – 0.9APG – 0.5BPG – 753 GAMES
MILESTONES: 6300 POINTS – 4500 REBOUNDS
AWARDS AND ACCOMPLISHMENTS:
2-TIME MYTHICAL SECOND TEAM
MOST IMPROVED PLAYER
6-TIME CHAMPION
Terry Saldana initially made a name for himself as a two-way menace for Gilbey's Gin Tonics (later Ginebra). In the 1984 PBA season, The Plastic Man went mental inside the court, posting averages of 18.9 points and 11.2 rebounds. While his numbers decreased when Robert Jaworski "Pied Piper-ed" players to make Ginebra formidable, it was a career-threatening injury that sent his star status crashing.
One could say that his injury was the end of his career but in the 90s, Saldana made his PBA comeback as a role player that gets the job done. He may not have the individual awards but he helped Swift win two championships and a last one with Ginebra in 1997.
73 | GREG SLAUGHTER
2013 – 2021 | 2013 PBA DRAFT – GINEBRA – 1ST OVERALL
AVERAGES: 14.0PPG – 9.0RPG – 1.4APG – 1.2BPG – 222 GAMES
MILESTONES: 3100 POINTS – 1900 REBOUNDS
AWARDS AND ACCOMPLISHMENTS:
1-TIME BEST PLAYER OF THE CONFERENCE
1-TIME MYTHICAL FIRST TEAM
1-TIME MYTHICAL SECOND TEAM
ROOKIE OF THE YEAR
4-TIME CHAMPION
Not only does Greg Slaughter have the skills to succeed in the PBA, but he is also a highly-touted seven-foot phenom trained by no less than Ramon Fernandez. Despite having a short career, his averages, as well as his individual and team accolades defend whatever criticism you have with his PBA stint.
In some ways, this is the same reason why people see Gregzilla differently. He has everything working for him, except that sometimes, off-court incidents mess things up. As of this writing, he's currently playing in Japan. The only way he can further enrich his PBA legacy is by playing for a championship-caliber squad with him as the main man.
72 | CYRUS BAGUIO
2003 – 2019 | 2003 PBA DRAFT – RED BULL – 14TH OVERALL
AVERAGES: 10.1PPG – 3.1RPG – 2.5APG – 0.9SPG – 739 GAMES
MILESTONES: 7400 POINTS – 2200 REBOUNDS – 1800 ASSISTS – 600 STEALS
AWARDS AND ACCOMPLISHMENTS:
2-TIME MYTHICAL SECOND TEAM
1-TIME FINALS MVP
MOST IMPROVED PLAYER
3-TIME CHAMPION
When Cyrus Baguio first entered the PBA, it felt like he wouldn't have a long career in the league. During his rookie year, he only played for four games and averaged just 2.5 points. This was a time when players like Willie Miller, Jimwell Torion, Lordy Tugade, and Junthy Valenzuela were in Red Bull when he joined.
It took Baguio three more seasons before he could achieve double-digit scoring averages. And this started the rise of Skyrus. During the 2007-08 PBA season, Baguio recorded career-highs, averaging 18.0 points, 3.7 assists, and 1.3 steals per game. After stops with Air21 and Ginebra, Baguio became part of a championship squad when he joined the Alaska Aces where he also won a Finals MVP award. I guess one of the reasons why he is ranked this low is that he never found success in the SMC and MVP teams. I mean, Alaska and Red Bull are good teams but they were small-market squads against perennial contenders.
71 | TERRENCE ROMEO
2013 – 2023 | 2013 PBA DRAFT – BARAKO BULL – 5TH OVERALL (TRADED TO GLOBALPORT)
AVERAGES: 17.3PPG – 3.1RPG – 3.6APG – 0.8SPG – 239 GAMES
MILESTONES: 4100 POINTS
AWARDS AND ACCOMPLISHMENTS:
1-TIME MYTHICAL FIRST TEAM
1-TIME MYTHICAL SECOND TEAM
1-TIME FINALS MVP
3-TIME SEASON SCORING CHAMPION
MOST IMPROVED PLAYER
3-TIME ALL-STAR MVP
2-TIME CHAMPION
A scoring machine since his high school days, Terrence Romeo's god-tier ball-handling skills are a cut above the rest. Not only can Bro create his shot, regardless of the opponent's size and stature, but he is also a gifted passer when the opportunity presents itself.
In terms of individual accolades, he already has it covered. This is to think that Romeo got his awards despite leading a lowly GlobalPort team. However, with his growing popularity and his yearnings for a championship ring, Romeo took his talents to the big-market squads.
I guess this is the problem with his career ever since he moved to Talk N Text and eventually to San Miguel. Just when he was getting the hang of playing key support to June Mar Fajardo and the rest of the Beermen, his health issues began to surface. Since joining the Beermen, Terrence Romeo has only played in 37 games over the past four seasons. While it's certain that he's going to get out of his funk, his ascent back to superstardom remains up in the air.