PBA Adds 10 Legends to Greatest List

The Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) has completed its historic 50 Greatest Players list by unveiling 10 new legendary names, headlined by current stars June Mar Fajardo and Scottie Thompson.

The final batch of names was announced on Wednesday, ahead of the league’s 50th anniversary celebration on April 9and the start of its 50th season in October.

“This milestone recognizes the finest talents who shaped Philippine professional basketball,” PBA Commissioner Willie Marcial said.

The selection committee, led by former PBA commissioner Sonny Barrios, included former MVPs Allan Caidic, Atoy Co, and Ramon Fernandez, as well as media practitioners, league officials, and a champion coach.

Marcial said the selection process was designed to gather perspectives from across the basketball community.

“Kung mapapansin n’yo, iba’t-ibang sektor ng basketball: may media, may official, may players, may TV panel, may dating commissioner. Hinalo-halo natin kasi sila ‘yung nakakaalam,” he said.

Barrios explained that Fajardo and Thompson were automatic inclusions due to their league MVP awards, leaving the panel to deliberate on the remaining eight names.

“Immediately doon sa sampung ise-select, dalawa agad doon ay nag-MVP so walo na lang talaga ‘yung pagpipilian ng committee,” Barrios said.

He added that the panel submitted independent shortlists, and over 80 percent of their picks overlapped, making final deliberations smooth.

Fajardo, Thompson Join Immortal Roster

June Mar Fajardo, the only eight-time PBA MVP, was an undisputed choice.

The San Miguel Beermen center, often dubbed “The Kraken,” boasts 11 Best Player of the Conference awards, four Finals MVPs, nine Mythical First Team selections, and seven All-Defense Team citations.

Now 35, the 6-foot-10 Cebuano remains at the top of his game and is widely regarded as the most dominant big man in league history.

Scottie Thompson, the dynamic Barangay Ginebra guard, also earned his place among the all-time greats.

Thompson, the 2021 MVP, has already captured seven PBA titles, including four championships between 2020 and 2023.

He is a two-time Best Player of the Conference, a Mythical First Team member, and has anchored the Gin Kings’ backcourt with hustle and versatility.

Eight More Icons Cement Legacy

The remaining inductees span several decades and franchises, representing power, finesse, and consistency.

Nelson Asaytono, nicknamed “The Bull,” scored over 12,000 points during a 17-year career, winning seven championships, three Mythical First Team selections, and two BPC awards.

Jeffrey Cariaso, drafted sixth overall in 1995, won eight titles, including a Grand Slam with Alaska, and earned Finals MVP and BPC honors. He played a total of 15 seasons, splitting time with Alaska and Coca-Cola.

Bong Hawkins, a key figure in Alaska’s 1996 Grand Slam team, was a Finals MVP, seven-time champion, and a longtime team anchor. His No. 16 jersey is retired by the Aces.

Abe King, a 13-time PBA champion, played 18 seasons as a defensive and rebounding stalwart for Toyota, Great Taste, and Purefoods. He mentored younger stars like Alvin Patrimonio and Jerry Codiñera late in his career.

Danny Seigle, also known as “Dynamite,” won eight titles, including four Finals MVPs, despite battling multiple injuries. At 6-foot-6, the forward was a prototype of modern versatility, capable of scoring at all three levels.

Arnie Tuadles, the 1979 Rookie of the Year, scored over 9,400 points and played for six franchises, including Toyota and Ginebra. His all-around skillset earned him a Mythical Team citation and wide respect.

Manny Victorino, a six-time PBA champion, was a three-time Mythical First Team member and the 1984 Most Improved Player. The 6-foot-5 forward amassed over 9,500 career points.

Yoyoy Villamin, who played nearly two decades, was part of the 1983 Crispa Grand Slam team, won nine titles, and earned one Mythical First Team, three Second Team, and seven All-Defense selections.

 

Celebrating Half a Century of Hoops

The 50 Greatest Players list honors the league’s most influential and decorated athletes, first created in 1995 for the PBA’s 25th anniversary.

It was updated in 2015 for the 40th anniversary and now reaches full strength in 2025 with 10 new additions.

All 50 names will be recognized during the April 9 celebration at the Smart Araneta Coliseum, where the league will formally honor five decades of professional basketball in the Philippines.

“These players helped define generations of Filipino basketball,” Marcial said.

“With this list now complete, we pay tribute not just to individual greatness but to the legacy of the league itself.”