Before
you check out the next batch, again I suggest you to check out the guidelines.
This is to calm the violent reactions I expect to unfold.
If you
wonder how this system works...
Welcome
to the second part of the 100 Best
Careers in the PBA list. Like I said, I started from top to bottom because
the highest-ranked players in this list are pretty obvious.
1 –
“El Presidente” Ramon Fernandez
2 –
“The Captain” Alvin Patrimonio
3 –
William “Bogs” Adornado
4 –
“The Pioneer” Abet Guidaben
5 –
“The Living Legend” Robert Jaworski
6 –
“The Triggerman” Allan Caidic
7 – “The
Tower of Power” Benjie Paras
8 –
“The Scholar” Philip Cezar
9 –
“The Fortune Cookie” Atoy Co
10 –
“The Quick Brown Fox” Ricky Brown
This
will be a long read.
Are
you ready for more?
Game
starts now!
11 JOHNNY ABARRIENTOS
THE FLYING A
1993 – 2010
CAREER HIGHLIGHTS:
1x MVP
6x
Mythical Five
1x
Mythical Ten
2x
Finals MVP
25
Greatest Players of the PBA
5x
All-Defensive Team
6x
All-Star
5,000
Points
2,000
Defensive Rebounds
1,000
Assists
1,000
Steals
1,500
Free Throws Made
Top
10: Assist Average
Top 10:
Free Throw Percentage
3x
Season Champion: Total Assists
8x
Season Champion: Total Steals
RANKED THIS HIGH:
He was
the chief on-court architect of Alaska’s 1996 Grand Slam and frankly one of my
favorite players of all-time. It was also in 1996 that the former FEU hotshot
scored a MVP award making him the shortest player ever to win the plum. His
stop and pop and fadeaway jumpers may be part of his impressive skillsets but
The Flying A will make people cry with his precision playmaking and shackling
defense. He led the league in steals per season eight times! His skills were so
good that he almost played for the NBA via the Charlotte Hornets.
RANKED THIS LOW:
The
importance of Tim Cone really kicks in especially when it comes to Johnny A. He
found success playing for him and his career deteriorated when he left the
squad. Actually his career declined even before he left Alaska. Suffering from
some sort of depression, he was released to Pop Cola where his career got some
sort of stride under former Alaska assistant coach Chot Reyes. His scoring
never reached double-digits again though and he ended his career as a
seldom-used point guard in Ginebra.
12 JERRY CODINERA
DEFENSE MINISTER
1988 – 2005
CAREER HIGHLIGHTS:
3x
Mythical Five
5x
Mythical Ten
2x
Best Player of the Conference
2x
Finals MVP
25
Greatest Players of the PBA
Almost
played in the 1986 Madrid FIBA World Championship
1x
Defensive Player of the Year
9x
All-Defensive Team
11x
All-Star
10,000
Points
2,000
Defensive Rebounds
2,000
Offensive Rebounds
1,000
Blocks
2,000
Free Throws Made
Top
10: Rebounds Average
1x
Season Champion: Total Defensive Rebounds
1x
Season Champion: Total Offensive Rebounds
3x
Season Champion: Total Rebounds
3x
Season Champion: Total Blocks
RANKED THIS HIGH:
Codinera
is one of the best offense-defense players to ever hit the league even if he
just played second fiddle for Alvin Patrimonio in Purefoods. Sure, he averaged
in double figures in his first decade with the league but defense is his forte.
He was a poster child for swats in that era and was a 9-time All-Defensive Team
member. He was also part of the All-Star Team eleven times.
RANKED THIS LOW:
He is
the highest-ranked player in the list that never won a MVP award. He almost won
the MVP once but he lost to teammate Alvin Patrimonio. The ironic thing here is
that when he got separated with The Captain, the Defense Minister’s game fell
apart. This was evident when he was traded to Mobiline for Andy Seigle and when
he was sent to FedEx where he drifted out of spotlight and retired with little
buzz.
13 ASI TAULAVA
THE ROCK
1999 – present
CAREER HIGHLIGHTS:
1x MVP
3x
Mythical Five
2x
Mythical Ten
1x
Best Player of the Conference
1x
Finals MVP
1x
All-Defensive Team
2x
All-Star MVP
11x
All-Star
5,000
Points
2,000
Defensive Rebounds
1,000
Offensive Rebounds
1,500
Free Throws Made
Top
10: Scoring Average
Top
10: Rebounds Average
1x
Season Champion: Total Points
4x
Season Champion: Scoring Average
2x
Season Champion: Free Throws Made
1x Season
Champion: Total Defensive Rebounds
2x
Season Champion: Total Offensive Rebounds
1x
Season Champion: 2-Points Made
1x
Season Champion: Total Blocks
RANKED THIS HIGH:
The
Rock debuted as a dominant force. The Fil-Tongan rocked the nation with his bleached
hair and his inside goodness. He is virtually unstoppable in the paint and this
led him to various accolades locally and internationally. While playing for
Talk N Text, the Lava Man won the MVP award and because of his popularity, he
is now an 11-time All-Star.
RANKED THIS LOW:
He is
ranked high on the list but in some ways, I think he can’t be ranked any
higher... unless he’s with a winning team where he returns to his former
20-point, 11-rebound self. With his age taking its toll, maybe he needs a
checklist to cash in on three achievement awards – 10,000 points, 5,000
defensive rebounds, and 2,000 offensive rebounds. Early in his career he also
suffered from citizenship issues that made him miss a lot of games.
14 DANNY ILDEFONSO
THE DEMOLITION MAN
1998 – present
CAREER HIGHLIGHTS:
2x MVP
2x
Mythical Five
3x
Mythical Ten
5x
Best Player of the Conference
3x
Finals MVP
Rookie
of the Year
1x
All-Star MVP
7x
All-Star
5,000
Points
2,000
Defensive Rebounds
1,000
Offensive Rebounds
1,500
Free Throws Made
Top 25:
Rebounds Average
1x
Season Champion: Total Defensive Rebounds
2x
Season Champion: Total Offensive Rebounds
1x
Season Champion: Total Rebounds
1x
Season Champion: Total Assists
2x
Season Champion: 2-Points Made
RANKED THIS HIGH:
He basically
fed off Danny Seigle’s constant injuries to get the nod as the MVP... twice.
But not to downplay his ability to play the “big” game, Ildefonso is the first
and only player to win the Best Player of the Conference award five times and a
Finals MVP thrice. He is a clutch player with range and has the ability to
clinch crisp passes. His Raise the Roof dunk was one of the most popular taunts
last decade.
RANKED THIS LOW:
The
Raise the Roof kid is lucky because in SMB’s last 90’s to early 2000’s glory
days, Seigle was the prime contender for the two consecutive MVP awards. This
is why people feel that Danny I. does not deserve the MVP citations despite
proving his self time and again. Also, during the mid and late 2000’s,
Ildefonso’s playing time is MIA because of nagging injuries.
15 WILLIE MILLER
THE THRILLER
2001 – present
CAREER HIGHLIGHTS:
2x MVP
3x
Mythical Five
2x
Mythical Ten
2x
Best Player of the Conference
1x
Finals MVP
1x
All-Defensive Team
1x
All-Star MVP
9x
All-Star
5,000
Points
500 3-Points
Made
Top
25: Scoring Average
Top
25: Assists Average
Top
25: 3-Point Percentage
RANKED THIS HIGH:
He was
the first MVP to come from the MBA. Dubbed “The Spinner”, he transformed into
“The Thriller” when he helped Red Bull claim a remarkable 2002 season. After a
run with Talk N Text, he moved to Alaska where he claimed his second MVP title
and cemented his status as one of the league’s best. He is a very streaky
shooter that has the body to post up and the athleticism to split the defense.
RANKED THIS LOW:
Willie
Miller is a heat magnet because of his jolliness – just ask Rosell Ellis and
Diamon Simpson. He is a future hall of famer despite this... with his two MVP’s to spite his
critics. He needs to shore up his achievements though. With his playing style,
some of the records he could break are 10,000 points, 2,000 assists, and maybe
1,500 free throws.
16 JOJO LASTIMOSA
JOLAS
1988 – 2002
CAREER HIGHLIGHTS:
3x
Mythical Five
3x
Mythical Ten
1x
Finals MVP
Rookie
of the Year
25
Greatest Players of the PBA
1x
All-Defensive Team
1x
All-Star MVP
8x
All-Star
10,000
Points
2,000
Assists
500
Steals
500
3-Points Made
2,000
Free Throws Made
Top
25: Scoring Average
Top
10: Free Throw Percentage
1x
Season Champion: Free Throws Made
RANKED THIS HIGH:
Dubbed
The Fourth Quarter Man because he raises his game a notch during the payoff
period, he is one of the beloved players of his era. He started out as a
high-flying dunker at Purefoods but then he switched gears and became a
sweet-shooting clutch performer. One of his most important exploits was when he
engineered the 1996 Grand Slam.
RANKED THIS LOW:
Jolas
played behind Alvin Patrimonio and Jerry Codinera at Purefoods. When he was in
Alaska, he played behind Johnny Abarrientos and Bong Hawkins. The entry of
Jeffrey Cariaso and eventually Kenneth Duremdes will also take a gander of
Jolas’ touches. He will be then shipped to the Pop Cola Panthers where his
numbers diminished. When he returned to the Aces, he just saw limited action.
17 VERGEL MENESES
AERIAL VOYAGER
1992 – 2006
CAREER HIGHLIGHTS:
Ix MVP
2x
Mythical Five
1x
Mythical Ten
3x
Best Player of the Conference
1x
Finals MVP
Rookie
of the Year
25
Greatest Players of the PBA
4x
All-Star MVP
10x
All-Star
Most
Improved Player
5,000
Points
2,000
Assists
1,500
Free Throws Made
Top
25: Scoring Average
Top
25: Assists
2x
Season Champion: Total Points
1x
Season Champion: Scoring Average
1x
Season Champion: 2-Points Made
RANKED THIS HIGH:
Vergel
Meneses is one of the best high flyers to ever play in the PBA. Packed with a
skill to soar, he can nail the shots people think are impossible. He was also a
gifted passer – dropping the dime the second he sees the foes collapse on him.
He is a former MVP and he holds the record for more All Star MVP’s with four. He
almost took Swift/Sunkist to a grand slam in 1995.
RANKED THIS LOW:
If
there was a flaw in Meneses’ career, it has to be that he was a journeyman. He
was the main man of every squad he’s on but this streak ended when he went to
Ginebra. In his final year with the squad, he met a rookie that upstaged him
from the Kings’ SG spot. That rookie is Mark Caguioa. After the Ginebra stint,
he had his moments in FedEx but his career went downhill afterwards.
18 FRANCIS ARNAIZ
MR. CLUTCH
1975 – 86
CAREER HIGHLIGHTS:
3x
Mythical Five
Hall
of Fame
Played
in the 1974 Puerto Rico FIBA World Championship
25
Greatest Players of the PBA
10,000
Points
2,000
Assists
1,500
Free Throws Made
Top
10: Scoring Average
Top
25: Assists
1x
Season Champion: Total Assists
1x Season
Champion: 3-Points Made
RANKED THIS HIGH:
Francis
Arnaiz is a revered presence in Toyota and Ginebra. He is one of those players
that can wheel and deal shots no matter the time and situation. He can hit the
long toms and sink in the driving layups. When placed in a bind, he can ably
feed the ball to teammates Robert Jaworski or Ramon Fernandez. His Mr. Clutch
moniker suits him perfectly.
RANKED THIS LOW:
I
wonder if he’s not part of the Toyota franchise. I wonder if he’s not with
Robert Jaworski at Ginebra. Fact is, Arnaiz had the talent to lead a team but
he chose to play second fiddle for Jawo (third if you count his Toyota stint
where there is also Ramon Fernandez). Also, he is more of a backcourt person
which eliminates him from grabbing other stats to further pad his legacy.
19 NELSON ASAYTONO
THE BULL
1989 – 2006
CAREER HIGHLIGHTS:
3x
Mythical Five
4x
Mythical Ten
2x
Best Player of the Conference
9x
All-Star
10,000
Points
2,000
Defensive Rebounds
1,000
Offensive Rebounds
2,000
Free Throws Made
Top
25: Scoring Average
Top
25: Free Throw Percentage
3x
Season Champion: Total Points
1x
Season Champion: Scoring Average
2x
Season Champion: 3-Points Made
2x
Season Champion: Free Throws Made
1x
Season Champion: Total Defensive Rebounds
RANKED THIS HIGH:
There
is a reason why Nelson Asaytono is called The Bull. Do you remember that
commercial? The former UM Hawk is a bully inside the shaded area and during his
time he can maul people and making them pay for scoring or defending against him.
Do you remember when he was the lone scoring threat of San Miguel where almost
had a 30-point average? If you don’t, maybe it’s because you remember when him
and Meneses were leading the Swift/Sunkist squad to a lot of championships!
RANKED THIS LOW:
Asaytono
despite not getting enough recognition is high on this list because he was that
good. He lacks the respect of the award-giving bodies though. He lost two MVP
races to Alvin Patrimonio and he was snubbed at the 25 Greatest Players
ceremony. In his later years, he fell victim to the rise of the Fil-Ams which
robbed him of his inside game and made him rely on his three point shot more.
In his later years in the PBA he was more of Red Bull’s sub guy.
20 ERIC MENK
MAJOR PAIN
1999 – present
CAREER HIGHLIGHTS:
1x MVP
1x
Mythical Five
1x
Mythical Ten
3x
Best Player of the Conference
3x
Finals MVP
1x
All-Defensive Team
9x
All-Star
5,000
Points
2,000
Defensive Rebounds
1,000
Offensive Rebounds
1,500
Free Throws Made
Top
25: Scoring Average
Top
10: Rebounding Average
2x
Season Champion: Scoring Average
1x
Season Champion: Free Throws Made
1x
Season Champion: Total Defensive Rebounds
2x
Season Champion: Total Offensive Rebounds
2x
Season Champion: Total Rebounds
1x
Season Champion: 2-Points Made
RANKED THIS HIGH:
When
Tanduay Rhum returned to the PBA, they brought Eric Menk with them. Major Pain
as he was called quickly made an impression as a blue-collared workhorse that
has the strength of a bear and the flight of an eagle (Bravestarr!). The smooth
operator was then traded to Ginebra where he became a crowd favorite and won
himself his only MVP title.
RANKED THIS LOW:
He is
nearing retirement and the awesomeness has faded. And if you backtrack on his
achievements a bit, you’ll find that he could have done more had not for the
citizenship issues. Just like any other Fil-Am, Menk suffered on this ordeal
and maybe by this time he could have had 10,000 points and 5,000 defensive
rebounds. Also, he hasn’t had a complete season for quite a while with all the
injuries he has suffered.
Numbers
11 to 20 is a combination of Hall of Famers and future Hall of Famers. Four of
the ten players who made it this far didn’t have MVP citations but did quite
enough to force their way to this point.
Like I
said, this is the best career list and perhaps you can imagine if Jerry
Codinera remained a Hotdog throughout his career, Francis Arnaiz tested other
teams, or Vergel Meneses sticking to one squad.
Like I
said, I suggest you really read my criterion if ever you have violent reactions
with this list.
Until
the next ten...
GAME
OVER!
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