On April 9, 1975, the Philippine Basketball Association held its first-ever game day at the historic Araneta Coliseum.
In a double-header, the PBA saw Marisawa-Noritake beat Concepcion Carrier, and Toyota stop U/Tex.
50 years later, the PBA is still going strong, with the league hosting a special game day at the famed Rizal Memorial Coliseum featuring last year’s Philippine Cup finalists Meralco Bolts and the San Miguel Beermen.
Regardless of its divisive nature sometimes, millions still love the PBA. To celebrate the iconic league’s golden anniversary, One Sports sought 50 people who do love the PBA for their insights, favorite moments, and just their whys on keeping the PBA close to heart.
(Compiled by Gillian Trinidad, Jan Ballesteros, Aivan Episcope, Kiko Demigillo, and Paul Lintag)
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Willie Marcial (Current PBA Commissioner)
Pinaka-gusto ko sa PBA, na kahit hindi pa ako nagiging commissioner, ‘yung nga—parang noong araw pa, gusto ko talagang makapanood ng PBA. Gusto kong makapanood nang live. Ngayon, nandito na ako tapos Commissioner pa ako, nagta-trabaho so… parehong maganda… Yung pangarap kong makapanood, hindi ko naman pinangarap maging commissioner so ano na yun, parang gravy [on top] na. So yun yung gusto ko, makapanood lang ng PBA. Crispa, Toyota days pa, nanonood ako ng PBA. Nanonood pa nga ako dati, Crispa pa noon eh. Dito sa Araneta.
Best memory? Bubble. Yung bubble ang hindi ko talaga siguro makakalimutan. Yung nahirapan ang buong mundo, nahirapan ang buong industriya natin, nahirapan ang Pilipinas tapos naka-survive tayo sa tulong niyo, at sa tulong ng mga players, coaches, owners, staff na na-survive natin at nagawan natin ng paraan. Yun ang hindi ko makakalimutan talaga, yung bubble.
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Paolo del Rosario (PBA commentator)
I love that we see the players grow up both in skill and life all the time. With how often we can see them, I feel invested in how our PBA idols mature throughout the years.
My best PBA memory has to be the 2016 Ginebra-Meralco Justiin Brownlee shot. It was an iconic 'do you remember where you were' moment! There is a reason why we still have that replay on repeat until today.
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Carlo Pamintuan (PBA commentator)
What I love about the PBA is that as much as it has changed over the years, there are still many things that remind me of the league I fell in love with when I was a kid. The faces change but the competition remains the same. Every single time I go to work, I feel blessed to be a part of the league I’ve followed all these years.
As a kid, my best memory of the PBA was meeting Alvin Patrimonio outside of the old Araneta South Gate when I was young. As we all know, Cap really takes time with all PBA fans so it was a surreal moment that made me love the PBA even more. As far as a game I watched on TV, I’m picking the Denzel Bowles game against TNT. For a game I witnessed live, it’ll be the legendary Justin Brownlee championship winner against Meralco in 2016.
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Hazel Ancheta (PBA staff)
Unang una, nakita ko yung mga idols ko. Sa TV ko lang nakikita before, MICAA days. I was with Vintage before, and then I transferred to the PBA. Yan ang tumulong sa education ng mga anak ko, it provided sa pag-aaral nila. Ang dami kong nakuha na benefits. Four boys. It’s not actually the salary ‘eh. It’s the people you got to know, the connections na nakuha ko. Life was made easier. PBA made my life easier.
Best memory ko? Madami pero one of the few good memories of the PBA was—way back 1983, nakita ko ‘yung mga idols ko na Crispa players. Tapos nakita ko yung coliseum na mausok, punong-puno. Wala kang makitang tao kasi puro usok. Glory days of the PBA. Best memories? Nakita ko ‘yung mga players, naabutan ko silang lahat, nakita ko talaga na nag-disband ang Crispa, ang Toyota. Everything is memorable with the PBA. Wala akong maalalang bad about the PBA eh. PBA was my life. Nag-take ng backseat ang family, ang lahat dahil sa PBA. Nawala yung mga weekends, ganon. Nawala because of the PBA but hindi ako nagrereklamo kasi the PBA gave me a good life.
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Coy Perez (PBA staff)
I think, the thing that I love about the most about the PBA is the camaraderie you share with everybody, not only with the players, but like you, with the media, with the fans, especially. Di ba parang ang saya-saya lang na para kayong isang malaking family, kaya parang miski na maghapon ka palagi sa trabaho, okay lang kasi parang okay lang… di ka nag-iisa and then, nakakapanood ka ng libreng games, di ba?
Plus the fact that you feel like people protect you from whatever. Kung merong mang-aaasar sayo, there’s someone who has your back. So basically it’s not really about the sport, it's about the organization.
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Apple David (PBA courtside reporter)
What I love the most about the PBA is ramdam mo talaga how you are a family whether it’s the PBA, the broadcast team, kami from the media. It’s one big family who enjoy and celebrate the sport. And even outside the games, I love the fact that everyone supports each other, kung ano man kailangan nila, like tulong-tulong talaga to be successful and to have a successful staging of the games for coverages.
Nako, 11 years na ako sa PBA, sobrang dami pero I feel like one of the best memories dito—all the championship games I covered, feeling ko are very memorable. Only because of the championship and sobrang daming fans. Iba yung pakiramdam when you feel na intense yung laban, everybody’s into it, everybody’s excited, siguro ‘yun favorite ko. Every time na may Finals na.
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Shiela Marie (PBA fan)
Naku. Wala eh. Buhay ko na yung PBA eh. Fan kasi ako ni Jimmy Alapag, TNT fan ako. [Pero] nung dumating si Justin Brownlee, Justin Brownlee fan na talaga ako. Ginebra fan na ako kasi nga nandoon na si Justin. Madami akong best memory sa PBA eh, pero ang best memory ko talaga is lahat ng mga players. Lahat ng PBA players kaibigan ko, kasi from Gilas [staff] ako eh.
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Troy Rosario (PBA player - Ginebra)
Well, syempre yung fans. Alam naman natin na yung essence ng paglalaro natin is para sa fans. Lalo na ngayon Finals na, magandang laban para sa mga fans, masaya yung mga fans, sa akin okay na yun. Syempre yung first championship ko [core memory.] Iba pa rin yung feeling pag una talaga so kahit sa bubble yung first championship ko, ramdam na ramdam ko yung saya.
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Jonas Terrado (PBA Press Corps - Philippine Daily Inquirer)
Since noong bata ako, attached na ako sa PBA kasi bukod sa NBA, bukod kay Michael Jordan, PBA yung nag-introduce sa akin sa basketball, 1993. Kami ni kuya, napanood namin sa TV ‘yung finals ng Purefoods tsaka San Miguel. Immediately, naging San Miguel fan ako eh. Kaya nung inassign na ako dito sa PBA, parang bumalik yung time na fan pa lang ako tapos pinagco-cover na ako ng PBA. Grabe lang sa akin kasi I started as a fan tapos ngayon, reporter na ako. Ang tagal ko nang nagco-cover, maraming good times, marami rin mga challenges and mga issues sa PBA but nandoon parin ‘yung--may feeling of attachment ako sa PBA.
Best memory sa pagco-cover? Siguro yung mga times na ako nag-announce ng Finals MVP, yung una ko si Terrence, 2019, Commissioner’s Cup. Sa coverage, ang dami talagang [memories] eh. Sa Philippine Arena, 50,000. Dami. Bay Area, yung Meralco. First coverage ko sa MOA eh. Yung regular ha. Pero yung unang una ko 2010, dahil sa Bulletin pa ako noon. Nung morning may bagyo kaya alanganin pa, pero natuloy yung PBA, then pumunta ako ng Araneta, quarterfinals ng Fiesta conference noon. As a fan, nakawayan ko si Willie Miller nung isang game eh. Si Willie Miller sa Converge, galing yun. Parang nung time nins Alapag, Caguioa, isa siya sa mga best. 2x MVP, may maganda game noon sa Cuneta. Nanood kami ng mga kaklase ko. Fan pa lang ako noon. May time na na-interview ko si Alvin Patrimonio, guest speaker siya sa isang liga, nagpa-autograph ako.
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Reuben Terrado (PBA Press Corps - Spin)
Syempre nung lumalaki ako, ang naging laro sa kalsada basketball. Eventually, aside from nakakalaro na ako, napapanood ko na rin yung PBA. Yun ang una kong exposure sa basketball. Hindi NBA eh. Kasi dati wala namang kaming cable noon. Hindi ko napapanood yung PBA. That’s why I love the PBA. Yung career ko, dinala ako sa PBA eh. Ito na yun. 7 years pa lang ako kasi mostly UAAP talaga ako since college. 2018 ako. Bukod sa na-expose ako sa basketball dahil sa PBA, ito na yung work ko ngayon. Dinala ako dito.
As a fan, yung una kong PBA game na napanood sa venue mismo, sa Cuneta Astrodome. 1997 All-Filipino Cup - Purefoods vs. Gordon’s Gin yung first game na napanood ko. Kasama ko parents ko, kasama ko si Jonas. Sa bleachers kami nanood nun tapos nag-bus kami pa-Cuneta Astrodome. Yun yung naalala ko talaga, hindi masyado yung game eh. Yung nag-bus kami papunta tsaka pauwi. Natutuwa na din ako eventually nung nag PBA ako kasi ung mga na-cover ko sa UAAP, NCAA noon - players and coaches - yung iba nasa high school pa lang na-cover ko na, nakaakyat na sa PBA. As a journalist, siguro yung first PBA coverage ko talaga Magnolia vs. Columbian. May 2018. Never ko naisip na magp-PBA ako eh, actually di ko siya gusto-di ko siya pinangarap kasi okay na ako sa collegiate. Ngayon, nae-enjoy ko na. Dati meron akong hesitation. Pero eventually nag enjoy na rin ako kasi yung quality ng games, kasamahan, masaya kasama. Two best memories ko yan.
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Justin Brownlee (PBA player - Ginebra)
What do I love most about the PBA? The Commissioner, Willie Marcial [Laughs]. Nah, I’m joking. No, no. Shoutout to Willie, I do like you a lot. But the fans, the way they treat me and the way they approach the game. When they come to the game they really show that they love the game, they always show a lot of great support. Even when watching at home, you see a lot of guys mentioning you on social media, a lot of fans are watching at home or coming to the game as well. You know? They always just show great support.
Core memory? Probably winning championships, I can’t really say I have one favorite but I’ll just say winning the championships, and yeah celebrating with the fans.
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Roland Quilente (PBA fan)
The unusual setup of having three tournaments in one season. It makes up for endless entertainment, especially if the league has more parity, like with this last conference.
Easy question [best memory?]. Justin Brownlee’s rainmaker moment. That mythical shot ended Ginebra’s eight-year title drought, revived a dying fandom, and recharged rivalries against winning teams like San Miguel and TNT. All moments leading up to that and beyond make the PBA what it is right now - still the best basketball league in the country, and possibly this side of the Pacific Ocean.
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Kate Reyes (PBA Press Corps - Spin)
What do I love most about the PBA? I grew up watching it, so it hits nostalgia for me. It’s one of the leagues that made me love, not just basketball, but sports in general. Since nakikita ko naman, front-row seat to the games and even the management of the PBA, I see how much they’re trying to grow and give fans the entertainment.
My favorite memory of the PBA is probably the Finals series between SMB and Meralco. Gusto ko talaga siya, ewan ko kung bakit. Pero very appealing siya for me and siguro kasi for the longest time, na-ignore ko ‘yung Meralco so sobrang na-appreciate ko ‘yung run nila towards the championship at the time. I also like the players, they’re decent, they’re nice to talk to, they’re genuine so more of that, that’s why I like it. That’s my best memory so far and we got to write compelling stories throughout that stretch.
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Gillian Trinidad (PBA Press Corps - One Sports)
It feels like a second home. I started covering the PBA because I wanted to find my beat as a multimedia reporter. PBA gave me a humbling ground because lagi ako nacha-challenge. Natuto akong mag-exclusives at magtanong nang maayos despite being introverted kasi I’m surrounded by veterans na batakan talaga sa field. I grow there every time I cover.
Core memory — TNT vs. Ginebra Game 7. Cried for two reasons: first tuwang-tuwa ako na nanalo yung TNT kahit walang Jayson Castro, and second naawa sa Ginebra kasi until now, natalo pa rin sila ng TNT and the look on their faces — sobrang lungkot at disappointed. Tumutulo luha ko habang nags-shoot for content for both teams.
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Chot Reyes (PBA head coach - TNT)
The competition, tradition, relationships, plus the fact that it provides employment to thousands of Filipinos.
[Best memory?] My very first game as head coach of Purefoods, which I think we lost.
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Marie Chris Llaguno (PBA fan)
What I love most in the PBA is when they give us a good coverage of the game and the news about what happened in or out the court, and also about the teams. That's why I follow their pages. So please continue that and keep up the good work.
My best memory in the PBA was when I was in Grade 2. I started to watch the PBA and I watched the game of Ginebra and Alaska, that was the time BGSM won with Chris King and that's the start of my fan girling of the team. And until now I’m an avid fan even though I’m not always watching in the venue.
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Gerry Ramos (PBA Press Corps - Spin)
What do I love the most? Syempre yung nade-develop yung friendship, especially yung mga players na una, napapanood mo lang sa TV pero eventually, you get to cover them. You develop yung friendship with them. Minsan nga hindi lang work-related lang eh no? Kumbaga nagiging [solid] na rin yung samahan niyo. Matibay. Pero hindi lang naman sa mga players. Ganun din sa mga officials, sa mga coaches. Yung mga ibang coaches nagiging katuwang mo pa sa mga baptism ng mga anak ng mga players nila. Ganun. Syempre mga team officials, yung iba, yung mga team owners na bihira mo namang nakikita, kumbaga nababasa mo lang. You just read them sa mga newspapers, nakikita mo sa mga TV. You get to interview them, you get to talk to them kahit na yung hindi ganun kadalas pero at least you get to interact with them. Tapos syempre you get to work with mga peers mo, young and old. Katulad mo, yan. Tapos you develop camaraderie, you develop friendship just like any other work-related matters din naman. Parang in the many years that I worked here as a sportswriter covering the PBA, parang nagging family mo na rin eh. Naging at hone ka na rin. Parang second home mo na rin yung PBA. I think isa yun sa mga nagustuan ko in covering the PBA for how many years. Nag-start ako 1991, nagsusulat ako sa mga magazines pa nun eh. Hindi pa sa newspapers. Eventually, nag-branch out na ako sa newspaper. Tapos after nun, nag-online na ako.
Best memory? Actually dalawa yung nag stood out. Una syempre yung unang-una kong coverage sa PBA. Mabubuking mo pa yung edad ko. 1991, Finals between Sarsi and Purefoods. Ang nakakatuwa lang noon, looking back, at least may mga personalities doon na kasama mo pa rin hanggang ngayon like coach Yeng. Siya yung coach ng Sarsi nun eh. Tapos si Alvin Patrimonio, still playing sa Purefoods din. So at least nakikita mo pa rin. Si coach Yeng, nasa Rain or Shine. Si Cap, as team manager na sa Magnolia.
Yung isa naman, may first interaction with Robert Jaworski kasi unang una hindi naman ako Toyota fan but nung naging Ginebra na siya, ayun, nagustuhan ko na bigla yung laruan ng Ginebra. In a way naging fan ako ng Ginebra, pero hindi si coach Jaworski. Nung una ko siyang nakita, actually na-interview, post-game. First time na nagpost-game presser si Senator Jaworski na nakaharap ko siya. Na-starstruck ako eh. Bihira akong ma-starstruck. Malalim siya magsalita. Siguro yung charisma, iba yung charisma niya pag nakita mo siya in front of you. May mga senior writers noon na sila yung nagtatanong. Ako gusto kong magtanong pero hindi ko nagawa kasi masyado akong na-starstruck sa kanya.
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Nelson Beltran (PBA Press Corps - Philippine Star)
Why do I love the PBA? Because I love basketball, I love sports. At yun ang no. 1 entertainment business in the land, paano mo di siya mamahalin? Lumaki lahat tayo pinapanood natin PBA. At nung pumasok ako sa trabaho, sportswriting. First year ko pa lang sa trabaho napunta kaagad ako sa PBA beat. Hanggang ngayon, sports editor na ako, nakatutok pa rin ako sa PBA. Talagang mamahalin mo ang PBA. Lalo ngayon binigyan ako ng malaking honor na sinama ako sa selection committee [PBA 50 Greatest] lalong lumaki ang love ko sa PBA at kay Commissioner Willie Marcial.
No. 1 memory, inabot ko kasi yung pinaka magandang rivalry sa PBA eh. Siguro mga bata kayo di niyo inabot. Mahirap kalimutan yung Crispa-Toyota. Parang tingin ko di tatalunin yun. Sa akin ha, hanggang ngayon nandiyan ako, pero kita mo lahat ng mga umabot dun laging bukang bibig pa rin Crispa-Toyota. Kita mo nga nung nagtandaan na sila nag reunion game pa, pinanood pa rin ng tao. Mahirap i-match yung Crispa-Toyota rivalry. Pagkatapos nun, ang mga tumatak sa isip ko yung mga PBA-backed national teams. Lalo na yung mga national teams na PBA ang players na nag-champion. Isa yun yung nandun ako, ako yung kumover, Jones Cup ni Chot Reyes. 2012 sa Taipei, tinalo yung US. Yun yung mga di ko makakaliumutan. Kasi pag talagang PBA, competitive talaga pag sila.
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LA Tenorio (PBA player - Ginebra)
What do I love most about the PBA? Syempre yung fans. Sila yung reason kung bakit we’re playing like this. We’re playing even though there’s a lot of challenges and adversities na nangyayari sa buhay namin sa personal life. Doesn’t matter, negative or positive comments or outcome ng mga games. Nandiyan lang yung mga PBA fans. I think that’s what I love the most about the PBA and hopefully, magtuloy tuloy siya in the future.
Core memory as a fan and a player, core memory ko is during the time when I was watching my PBA idols -- Hector Calma, Johnny Abarrientos, those are the days na talagang namimiss ko kasi kumbaga sa tingin ko during my career or at the time when I was growing up, aspiring to be a basketball player, sila yung napapanood ko. Gusto kong gayahin yun. Syempre natutuwa ako [na gina-guide ko na ngayon si RJ], malaking bagay sa akin. Nakakausap ko din si coach Johnny about it - nakikita ko nga na parang may resemblance eh, sa mga galaw. I feel honored and blessed to be one of the inspirations or nag-guide sa kanila. Especially kay RJ. Hopefully, sa career ni RJ, malapasan niya pa si Johnny.
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Luigi Trillo (PBA head coach - Meralco)
I love the PBA because we’re a different brand of basketball. We’re the only league that has three conferences. We have the most passionate fans. We’re different in a way. I think we may be not as big in size, but we play a physical game, we’re good 1-on-1. We’re the oldest league [in Asia]. And just to be a part of it, I feel blessed because I’ve been here 26 years. It’s my livelihood. There’s so many great stories in the PBA. When I was young I used to go with my dad, I used to cover the games bago siya mag Alaska. Seeing all of them, like Ronnie Magsanoc, I used to watch those guys. The Purefoods-Ginebra rivalry. And now it’s a different game. We’re still here. I think them having their 50 [Greatest Players], it’s such an honor for them. Very proud of Bong Hawkins and The Jet [Jeffrey Cariaso]. They did it differently. The Jet was more of an athlete. Ang bilis right? Bong was more of the smarts, physical, rugged. But both very well-deserved. My father’s been a part of it. Now Paolo and I are part of it. I think the PBA is something different. We’re the only league that has a height limit on imports. We’re the only league that has three conferences. We’re exploring leaps and bounds with the EASL. Ultimately just a thank you. It’s hard to stay in the league.
My best memory, it’s a tie. The two championships. My last one with Alaska, that was special, that was with my dad. We beat Ginebra. We swept them. For me that was my first. And the last one I did with coach Nenad here [with Meralco]. Right there, they’re both tied because it felt the same with the way we did it in Alaska, where we got to develop from the draft. And make no mistake, there was a lot of painful steps before we got there. I remember before we won two conferences ago, we were 11th place. Here in Meralco ang dami naming (pain). We lost to Ginebra a lot of times, the Finals, a lot of pain also. So just the journey, the people I met, two top class organizations, or upper management, and all around, to the ball boys, we feel like family. I think those two really standout in my memory in the PBA.
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Denison Dalupang (PBA Press Corps - Philippine Daily Inquirer)
Syempre rich with legacy. Kumbaga as a reporter ang dami mong pwedeng hukayin na pwede isulat. Hindi ka mauubusan ng storya. What I like is as an institution, wala siya masyado mysticism na mahirap siyang i-cover. Unlike for example when you hear your friends na nagco-cover ng news, mga hardcore police beat reporters, they look at their certain beats with certain reverence di ba. Yung sa PBA, there was a point na I felt that, pero the people within it, around it, very approachable. Even yung mga stars mo diyan, may chance nga na maging kaibigan mo sila. Kumbaga I would like to say very approachable if one would say. As a word play syempre, prestigious. As a young reporter ito yung katumbas ng Malacanang beat. So everybody is apiring to write here and more importantly, belong whenever they do so. I’ve made a lot of friends here from the working staff ng league and of course kayo na kasabay kong nagco-cover. Magni-nitpick ka na lang if you would talk about the negatives. Pero overall it’s a nice place to be in.
Probably two [favorite] moments. First is yung first time ko madala si daddy. I was still a production assistant sa Inquirer at that time so medyo removed pa ako from actual writing. But I was assigned to do an anniversary piece for a supplemental page ng Inquirer. I think nakausap ko nun sina Ricky Santos, ms. Coy, sila unang nagpapasok sakin. It was actually my first experience watching a game and I was able to bring my dad so medyo core memory sakin yun growing up. Kumbaga naging foundational memory siya as I went on to pursue the career. And then second siguro, Bay Area Finals with Ginebra. Game 1 if I’m not mistaken. Christmas, if I’m not mistaken din. I was able to bring my family. Sabi nga nila merong “bring your kids to work” day. Ako, I was able to do “bring your family to work” day. I was expecting two tickets nga lang eh. So parang medyo torn pa ako. Siguro paano ko kaya ifi-figure out na mapapunta yung dalawa pa in my family kasi lima kami. O sige fine I’ll just pay for it. And then when the complimentary tickets were handed to me – di naman madamot PBA pag nanghihingi ka eh. Pero I was really surprised na all four were covered no less by the Commissioner himself. Sarap lang sa feeling. So I really felt na Paskong Pasko yun. Alam mo naman yung grind natin na minsan nagpa-Pasko pero nasa gitna tayo ng trabaho. Pero that time di ko naramdaman na pagod ako kasi andun yung family and Pasko.
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Anthony Valladolid (PBA fan)
The excitement. Yung dinudulot nya na bond saming pamilya at magkakaibigan. We have something to talk about palagi kapag usapang PBA. Nakaka-relate ang lahat basta PBA ang topic, kahit sino pa makausap mo, kahit hindi mo kilala.
No specific na PBA memory sa dami ng mga nangyaring memorable sa PBA, especially sa Ginebra na koponan ko. Pero na in love ako sa PBA during the 80's, in the Jaworski era. With the Hacket-Bates tandem, Jamie Waller, Añejo days, Jumpin Joe Ward and Tommy Davis, Carlos Briggs to Gordons Gin with Chris King. Those were very exciting imports. Sarap panoorin.
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Iya Quijano (PBA fan)
The crowd and the players really get you going. Even if you’re a casual viewer of the game, madadala ka rin. Especially when things get heated on court or the game is a nail-biter.
When Meralco won their first championship. Really different feeling and the championship high was there. I especially liked the grit and improvement, lalo si Chris Newsome.
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Allan Caidic (PBA legend)
What I love about the PBA is yung rivalry during the time—nung nagstart yung PBA. Kung until now, I see some fans na loyal pa rin sa mga teams. Nowadays kasi marami na options sa mga fans to go somewhere. Pero kita mo naman pag championship, nandiyan pa rin sila. Puno pa rin ang PBA. Yun yung isang magandang na-develop sa PBA. Dito kami lahat nag-umpisa, and naging maganda ang tanggap sa amin ng mga fans. Without the fans, wala kami dito. Kaya itong 50th anniversary, this is one way of gathering the fans and players. Balik kayo dito, parang reunion of sort. Bring back memories and then para makapag-start ulit ng direction ng PBA.
Well, syempre, wala nang makakatapat pa siguro, noong nag-break ako ng record [17 3-pointers] nung 1991 kasi pinapanganak yung eldest ko noon. So yun talaga ang most memorable sa akin sa PBA. Syempre, lahat naman kami, every championship, any awards, memorable yun. Pero itong sinabi ko, extra special to.
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Benjie Paras (PBA legend)
Sa PBA, pinaka-gusto ko kasi dito is the organization, being a family, brotherhood. There are players na who needs help, and this organization is always there for them. Tinutulungan, malaki ang naitutulong sa kanila.
Actually, ang best memory ko, I guess, yung — we will reach to some places, we surprise the fans, we go to an open basketball court, yung mga naglalaro lang doon and namimigay kami ng mga tickets, t-shirts. Yun lang, isa sa mga pinaka best memories ko, lalo na yung mga reactions ng mga bata at ng mga fans.
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Jeffrey Cariaso (PBA head coach - Blackwater)
What I love most about the PBA is the longevity of the league. I think about all the utility staff, players, coaches, and team officials that have been part of all the teams. The presence of the league has given many opportunities for many people to support their families and live a comfortable life. Imagine the connections and relationships built that have open doors to many more opportunities solely because of the PBA.
My best PBA memory is Draft day in 1995. That’s where everything started for me. That’s the moment in my life that jump started the playing career I had, and is still going on but now as a coach. I will forever be grateful to coach Tim and Alaska for taking a risk on me.
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Japeth Aguilar (PBA player - Ginebra)
What do I love most about the PBA? I love the PBA, this is our brand of basketball, mahilig tayong mga Filipino sa basketball and I love everything about the PBA.
Ang dami kong core memory eh, when I was young, my dad used to bring me - nung nagkamalay na ako nito ha. Yung mga games pa noon, nasa Ultra. I remember running around Ultra. When I was growing up, siguro mga before ako mag teenager, my dad took me to one game. We watched San Miguel and it was Danny Seigle pinapanood ko back then. He had one baseline move and he went up and he went for a jump and then after that, na-inspire na ako. Yun, yung talagang mga first thing na pumapasok sa isip ko growing up watching the PBA. It was a journey, I remember chasing my dreams, it was one of the moments that ignited my passion. May mga players na hindi natin nare-realize na we might inspire some young Filipinos, young kids [to play basketball].
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Ronnie Magsanoc (PBA legend)
It’s the fact that it continues to be the best basketball in the country. That’s one. Number two: That it honors those who have served them. And number three, it continues to bring the game closer to the fans. And that’s what’s very important.
Unang-una yung unang championship namin ni Benjie [favorite]. Pero siguro through the years, yung naging magkasama kami. Yun ang naging gulong nung career namin, from the friendship that we have built from high school all the way to the present. Yung naging magkasama kami. So championships, awards, individual recognition from the PBA, but the bottomline is my brother, my friend, continues to be a very dear brother to me up to now.
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Bea Micaller (PBA Press Corps - GMA)
What I love about PBA: yung inspiring stories ng mga players, lalo yung mga nag-start talaga from zero and how the league transformed their lives.
Core memory as reporter is I got to interview PJ Simon in February 2020. One of the reasons siya kung bakit ako na-hook sa PBA nung early 2010s. Unfortunately, first and last interview ko na pala yun with him kasi that was the same time na nagsabi siya of his plans to retire.
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Jayson Castro (PBA player - TNT)
Hopefully ma-appreciate ng mga fans mga ganitong laro [Finals]. Para sa mga fans talaga to. Hopefully mga fans manood na ng live even mga eliminations. Kasi ang ganda na ng competition natin ulit.
Actually lahat chine-cherish ko. Every moment. Sabi nga minsan ka lang maging player. So win or lose chine-cherish ko lahat yun. Kasi pag tanda mo, as a player yun na lang yung memory na mae-enjoy mo eh.
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Lu-Ann Quijano (PBA fan)
Kapag nagsisigawan yung mga fans sa mga laro. Kita mo yung passion [love about PBA]. I watched the Crispa-Toyota reunion game sa Araneta and saw my favorite player Atoy Co. Talo sila pero masaya makita ulit sila maglaro.
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Melo Fuentes (PBA Press Corps - Philippine Daily Inquirer)
What I love most about the PBA is the mere fact na mula noon hanggang ngayon pang masa pa rin yung liga. Dumaan man yung maraming challenges and yung mga highs and lows, yung core value ng PBA to cater to the masses, nandoon parin talaga. May mga criticisms here and then, pero pagdating ng mga games, makikita mo may mga manononood pa rin. Mula noon hanggang ngayon, talagang pang masa ang liga.
My core memory in the PBA as a writer? Probably yung kauna-unahang Finals coverage na kinuha ko or binigay sa akin kasi you never forget your first nga naman, di ba? As far as I remember, it was TNT vs. Ginebra noong 2023. It was so memorable to me because doon ko na-realize na sobrang unpredictable ng liga.
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June Mar Fajardo (PBA player - San Miguel)
Syempre dito ako nagta-trabaho. Ito yung main source of income ng mga PBA players. Syempre dapat mahalin mo rin trabaho mo para mahalin ka rin ng trabaho. Masaya maglaro ng basketball. Ang PBA nage-evolve. Through the years nage-evolve yung PBA. Masaya tignan yung PBA na maraming players na nabago yung buhay dahil sa PBA.
[Favorite] syempre yung mga panalo namin sa championship… kasi pag nanalo kami sa championship, lahat masaya, pati mga ballboys, mga utility masaya, pati mga fans namin masaya. Yun yung para sakin the best, makita mo mga taong sumusuporta sayo na masaya.
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Ceej Tantengco-Malolos (Meralco Bolts social media manager)
My dad loves watching the PBA, and I grew up watching games on TV with him. So I love getting to work in the league, knowing what it means to him.
Core memory — you never forget your first championship. It sounds cheesy but it’s true! I’ve worked in all sorts of roles in the sports industry, but working as part of a team is a special experience I’ll always treasure. Will never forget singing “Don’t Stop Believing” with the squad — from our team bus during the semis, all the way to the dugout after we won our first championship.
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Min Herrera (PBA fan)
What I love most about the PBA is that it’s a part of Philippine culture that gives hope, especially to the youth. As a girl, I was fascinated with playing basketball since I was a child, and I even played in inter-school games in high school, where I was named MVP. My dream was to become a professional basketball player, but I was too small for the sport. However, that didn’t stop me from playing and supporting basketball.
As a big fan, I have many fond memories of watching the PBA. One of my favorites is seeing my favorite players, June Mar Fajardo, Alex Cabagnot, and Terrence Romeo, play live. What made it even more special was seeing my dad’s idol, Alvin Patrimonio, in person. I’ll never forget the time our whole family watched a game live together, it was a truly special experience. I also cherish the memories of receiving giveaway shirts during game breaks, which may seem like a small thing, but that brought me immense joy. Another unforgettable experience was watching the live championship game with my cousin, where San Miguel emerged as champions last year. It was an exhilarating moment that I’ll always treasure. Especially now that I’m working overseas, these memories are even more precious to me.
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Dennis Miralles (PBA fan)
Pinakagusto ko sa PBA, very approachable sila. Mga player, kahit si Kume [Marcial] nakikipag-selfie, picture. Gusto namin na mabalik yung dating PBA, yung maraming crowd, pinipilahan. Yung parang katulad ngayon, pero mas gusto namin every game, yung meron kami kalaban na fandom. Halimbawa parang Terrafirma, magkaroon naman sila ng chance na magka-fans club. Walang challenge pag kami lang, nangyayari lang pag mga Magnolia ang kalaban, Ginebra. May mga die hard talaga yan eh, matagal na. Pagandahin natin lalo.
Ang hindi ko makalimutan yung “Beeracle.” Sila lang nakagawa, kahit sa NBA wala pa naka-comeback na 0-3, San Miguel lang. Nakapatamis po yun na experience, na ma-witness mo yung ganung championship.
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Tito Talao (PBA Press Corps)
I was born and grew up in a house that is right beside a basketball court in Tondo, so the game was introduced to me right after my folks brought me home from the hospital. My father and I followed MICAA games on the radio and would cheer for our favorite team. Later, when I was hired as a cub reporter for Tempo in 1982, Ding Marcelo, who was with the Manila Bulletin, brought me to my first PBA game at the Araneta Coliseum. We didn’t have tickets but he got us in and we sat on the floor with the photographers right in front of the packed press box. If I remember right, Crispa was playing that night. My passion for the PBA started right then and there, seeing all my idols in the flesh. It took me a while though to summon the courage to talk to any of them for a story. But when I did, after Tempo editor Recah Trinidad assigned me to do a story on the PBA’s five most popular players from 1975-76, I somehow managed to get them all on tape, between the jitters, shaking hands and trembling voice. Who were the five? Mon Fernandez, Atoy Co, Philip Cezar, Freddibe Hubalde, and Robert Jaworski. Being there before it happens, while it happens and after it happens was a blessing as with being welcomed to the dugouts and the confidence of the players, coaches, and managers. Covering the games and writing the stories are just icing on the cake.
I don’t know if it’s the best because there are so many: Ricardo Brown telling me where to position myself during a fast break; Ramon Fernandez shooting his patented elegant shot after I hollered for one — from the press box; guarding Samboy Lim during a break in SMB practice; watching Fortunato Co pull up for an 18-foot jumper; drinking beer with Philip Cezar, interviewing Shell import Dexter Shouse at coach Joe Lipa’s house where he declared that ULTRA in Pasig is the “House of Shouse.” There’s more but the one that stands out to this day is Robert Jaworski accidentally getting elbowed by Jeff Moore. With blood coming out from a gash in his mouth, the Big J was rushed to a nearby hospital where, we found out later, he had the wound stitched inside and outside his upper lip. Then, with a heavily-bandaged upper lip, he returned to the game, rallied Ginebra back from a double-digit deficit and won the game. The roar of the crowd that evening was unbelievable. I haven’t heard bedlam like that ever. I can still see the color red seeping out from the gauge taped to his upper lip and I remember praying he doesn’t get hit again in the same spot. I don’t know if it’s courage or commitment, but I know not of another player who ever did what Jaworski had done that unforgettable night — in the PBA or anywhere else.
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Dante Silverio (PBA legend)
I love the PBA because I’m one of formative members of the PBA. I’m a father of the PBA, when I say father, I’m one of the initiators of the PBA. I love the PBA because I’ve been a part of the PBA. We’ve been really a family, I’m really very happy of being part of the PBA.
Marami eh [favorite]. Of course meron kaming frustrations, meron kaming happy moments. Pero in totality, we’ve had some good experiences of us being part of the PBA family. Best memory? Being the first PBA champion and being the second PBA champion [but] missed on the Grand Slam on the third championship.
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Atoy Co (PBA legend)
What I love most about the PBA? The fans. The fans who adored me during the time I played, that was the most memorable for me sa PBA and also, ‘yung mga awards na nakuha ko, MVP, championships. Yun ang mga I love the most in the PBA.
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Vladi Eduarte (PBA Press Corps - Abante)
Tinatanong pa ba? Nandito yung big boys. Ito yung pianaka-mataas. Sabi nga nila, Zenith ng Philippine basketball.
As a reporter, yung pinaka-una kong championship, 2008 syempre. Sta Lucia-Purefoods ata yun. Cuneta tapos Araneta, pinaka-una kong championships. Rookie season ko yun. Isa pa siguro yung as a fan, Ginebra-Bay Area. Yung mammoth crowd na 54k sa Philippine Arena. Hindi araw-araw nangyayari yung ganun ha. Tsaka guest team pa yung isa. Syempre nakita mo kung paano sumigaw na iisa—kahit mga hindi maka-Ginebra nandoon na eh. Oo naman [matagal na akong fan ng PBA] kasi ‘yung lang ang babasahin mo noon eh. Magazines, dati gawain namin, papanoorin muna sa channel 4 kahit gumaganon ganon yung TV mo [glitch] kasi wala pa namang cable noon eh. Bibili ka pa ng dyaryo kinabukasan, babasahin mo ulit yun. Ganun katindi yung PBA sa amin. Nakanood ako ng live pero matagal na. Araneta. Mas maganda nga yun kasi mura yung ticket kumpara sa manonod ka ng sine, dalawa pa mapapanood mo noon.
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Norman Black (PBA legend)
No matter where you travel in the Philippines, people know and talk about the PBA. People even remember when I played in 1981.
My best memory is winning the first conference championship over Purefoods and David Thirdkill in 1988.
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Kevin Alas (PBA player - NLEX)
What I love most about the PBA is that everyone makes you feel like family. Bosses, coaches, players. The three times I tore my ACL, I felt the love because a lot of them called, messaged, and reached out to send their love and prayers. We may be opponents at the hardcourt but outside the court, it is much different.
[Favorite moment is] winning the championship my rookie year with TNT.
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Pat Aquino (Head coach, Gilas Pilipinas Women]
Seeing the best of Philippine basketball playing in their home country and giving a lot of inspiration to young Filipino ballers [best about PBA]. I think the history of Philippine basketball is very rich.
The Toyota-Crispa rivalry made me imagine playing in the PBA and inspired me to play a lot of basketball. Now being a coach, it makes me want to inspire kids to also play basketball to the highest level here in the country.
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Jay Washington (2x PBA Best Player of the Conference)
What I love about the PBA? Well, probably the fans. They’re the best part of the PBA. When I was in my best years in San Miguel and I would say, I was drafted in 2005 and probably those years from 2005-2015, I feel like we’re in a golden era for the PBA. The fans’ support was amazing. Definitely the fans.
Best memory? Probably winning a championship in 2015 with Talk ‘N Text. We had a team composed of me, Jimmy Alapag, Harvey Carey, Danny Siegle, Rob Reyes, Ivan Johnson, of course, Jayson Castro, and Ranidel [De Ocampo] was there. We just had a great group of guys. The whole season was fun and to end it with a championship was awesome.
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Dante Alinsunurin (Head coach: NU Bulldogs and Choco Mucho Flying Titans)
Syempre, yung exciting [games]. Nung nanonood ako, talagang tinututukan ko yung PBA lalo na kapag Ginebra yung naglalaro.
Alam mo, ang hindi ko makalimutan yung naglaro yung Ginebra at TNT sa ULTRA. Rank no. 1 ang TNT, rank no. 8 ang Ginebra, na shoot ni Bal David yung last seconds. First time yata ni [Asi] Taulava na maglaro sa PBA. Yun yung sobrang naalala ko, na-upset ng Ginebra yung Talk ‘N Text.
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Jeff Chan (6x PBA champion)
First of all, the competition. Yun lang. Very memorable sakin yung experience ko sa PBA throughout my career. ‘Yung competition talaga kakaiba.
I guess my championships. Lahat ng championships ko lahat hard-earned. Hard-earned siya.
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Paolo Trinidad (PBA fan - Sports Papi)
What I love most about the PBA is the unmatched passion and love of its fans, especially the Ginebra fans. I witnessed it first hand during Game 7 of the Commissioner’s Cup Finals, when the entire coliseum sang along to Eraserheads’ “Alapaap” after Justin Brownlee hit the game-tying shot to force overtime. That moment became a core memory for me not just as a fan, but also as a content creator who got invited to experience the game live. That was my first PBA Game 7, and the energy was unforgettable.
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Quinito Henson (PBA commentator)
I love the PBA because it’s exciting, it engages the fans, and it’s the favorite national sport of the Philippines. Basketball.
Ang dami kong memories sa PBA pero one of my most cherished memories was when the Big J, Robert Jaworski himself, asked me to be the emcee of his retirement ceremony. Beyond the game, I thought that was a memory that I will always remember because it was an honor, a privilege, and there were times na kami ni Sonny Jaworski maybe had our differences, maybe he didn’t agree with some of my comments in the air. But at the end of the day, when he retired and the retirement ceremony was upon us, he asked me if I could be his emcee and he personally requested that. It was a big memory for me. It’s a memory that I will never forget.
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Sol Mercado (3x PBA champion)
What I love about the PBA? The fans. I mean, I played for Ginebra so for me, they’re the best fans in the world. We get to play in an environment that’s absolutely incredible. The fans’ support is amazing. The environment is really great.
Best memory? I have so many, man. But I would say, probably the one that’s up there is my first championship. Obviously, when Justin hit the famous shot, the three-pointer to win us the series over Meralco, that was my first championship and it’s very memorable to me.
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Jan Ballesteros (PBA Press Corps - One Sports)
I grew up surrounded by relatives who are die-hard PBA fans so naturally, I became one. But I actually fell in love with the league after seeing how the great Olsen Racela orchestrated San Miguel’s offense back in the day. While Danny Seigle and Danny Ildefonso did most of the damage for the Beermen, I felt Racela’s role was just as crucial and elegant. So I tried to emulate his game. Later on, I realized there’s pleasure in helping others look good the same way Racela did.
San Miguel pulling off a “Beeracle” in 2016 has to be my best PBA memory as a sports reporter.