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Philippine basketball heroes: Top 50 players to know

Commemorative lists spotlight the legends who have cemented their legacies

Last updated:
Jay Hilotin, Senior Assistant Editor
2 MIN READ
Top Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) heroes (from left): Robert Jaworski, Ramon Fernandez, and Alvin Patrimonio.
Top Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) heroes (from left): Robert Jaworski, Ramon Fernandez, and Alvin Patrimonio.
Wikipedia | NU | FB

Manila: In the Philippines, basketball isn’t just a sport — it’s a national obsession.

The Philippine basketball industry is massive, with about 75 per cent of Filipinos being fans. Many are playing or having played the sport, fuelled by the popularity of the Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) and the national team, Gilas Pilipinas, and its recent FIBA World Cup hosting.

The PBA, Asia’s pioneering professional basketball league, has celebrated its hardwood heroes through prestigious accolades.

The list began with the 25 Greatest Players in 2000, which was then expanded to the 40 Greatest Players in 2015.

Now, PBA has named the 50 Greatest Players in 2025. 

Here's a quick profile of the Top Basketball Heroes of the Philippines:

  • Robert Jaworski Sr.
    Birthdate: March 8, 1946​
    Teams: Toyota, Ginebra San Miguel
    Years Active: 1975–1998​
    Awards: PBA MVP (1978); member of the 25, 40, and 50 Greatest Players lists​

  • Alvin Patrimonio
    Birthdate: November 17, 1966​
    Teams: Purefoods​
    Years Active: 1988–2005
    Awards: Four-time PBA MVP; member of the 25, 40, and 50 Greatest Players lists​ 

  • Allan Caidic
    Birthdate: June 15, 1963​
    Teams: Great Taste/Presto, San Miguel, Barangay Ginebra​ 

    Years Active: 1987–1999​
    Awards: PBA MVP (1990); member of the 25, 40, and 50 Greatest Players lists​

  • Benjie Paras
    Birthdate: October 2, 1968​
    Teams: Shell​, San Miguel
    Years Active: 1989–2003​
    Awards: Four-time PBA champion, two-time PBA MVP; only player to win Rookie of the Year and MVP in the same season (1989); three-time Second Mythical Team Member, a nine-time All-Star, and a two-time All-Star MVP; Best Player of the Conference award; member of the 25, 40, and 50 Greatest Players lists​.

  • Jojo Lastimosa
    Birthdate: March 10, 1964​
    Teams: Purefoods, Alaska, Pop Cola​
    Years Active: 1988–2002​
    Awards: Ten-time PBA champion; member of the 25, 40, and 50 Greatest Players lists​

  • Atoy Co
    Birthdate: October 15, 1951​
    Teams: Crispa, Manila Beer, Great Taste
    Years Active: 1975 –1988​
    Awards: PBA MVP (1979); two Grand Slams, in 1976 and 1983; 9-time Mythical First Team member; first player to score 5,000 (1979) points; first player to score 10,000 points in PBA history (1984);

    part of the 25, 40, and 50 Greatest Players lists​.

  • Abet Guidaben
    Birthdate: September 14, 1952​
    Teams: Crispa, Manila Beer, San Miguel, Tanduay, Purefoods, Alaska, Pepsi, Shell​
    Years Active: 1975–1995​
    Awards: Two-time PBA MVP; member of the 25, 40, and 50 Greatest Players lists​

  • Francis Arnaiz
    Birthdate: June 4, 1951​
    Teams: Toyota, Ginebra San Miguel
    Years Active: 1975–1986​
    Awards: Multiple-time PBA champion; member of the 25, 40, and 50 Greatest Players lists​

  • Johnny Abarrientos

    • Birthdate: July 17, 1970

    • Teams: Alaska, Pop Cola, Coca-Cola, Barangay Ginebra

    • Years Active: 1993–2010

    • Awards: PBA MVP (1996); who is a former PBA MVP and 12-time champion; known as "The Flying A", and is known for his steals and defensive prowess; member of the 25, 40, and 50 Greatest Players lists

Greatest 25

These commemorative lists spotlight the legends who’ve dribbled, dunked, and dazzled fans, cementing their legacies in the annals of Philippine basketball history.

Here's the list of the "50 Greatest Players" in PBA history, individuals who have significantly contributed to the league's history. 

25 Greatest Players (2000)

  1. Johnny Abarrientos

  2. Bogs Adornado

  3. Ato Agustin

  4. Francis Arnaiz

  5. Ricardo Brown

  6. Allan Caidic

  7. Hector Calma

  8. Philip Cezar 

  9. Atoy Co

  10. Jerry Codiñera

  11. Kenneth Duremdes

  12. Bernie Fabiosa

  13. Ramon Fernandez

  14. Danny Florencio

  15. Abet Guidaben

  16. Freddie Hubalde

  17. Robert Jaworski Sr. 

  18. Jojo Lastimosa

  19. Lim Eng Beng

  20. Samboy Lim

  21. Ronnie Magsanoc

  22. Vergel Meneses

  23. Manny Paner

  24. Alvin Patrimonio

  25. Benjie Paras

Additional 15 Greatest Players (2015)

  1. Jimmy Alapag

  2. Marlou Aquino

  3. Mark Caguioa

  4. Jayson Castro

  5. Jayjay Helterbrand

  6. Danny Ildefonso

  7. Chito Loyzaga

  8. Eric Menk

  9. Willie Miller

  10. Marc Pingris

  11. Kerby Reymundo

  12. Arwind Santos

  13. Asi Taulava

  14. Kelly Williams

  15. James Yap

Additional 10 Greatest Players (2025)

  1. Nelson Asaytono

  2. Jeffrey Cariaso

  3. June Mar Fajardo

  4. Bong Hawkins

  5. Abe King

  6. Danny Seigle

  7. Scottie Thompson

  8. Arnie Tuadles

  9. Manny Victorino

  10. Yoyoy Villamin

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