50 Greatest Players in PBA History

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Template:Short description Script error: No such module "Distinguish". Script error: No such module "Unsubst". Template:Use Philippine English

The 50 Greatest Players in PBA History is a list of players chosen across three separate occasions in 2000, 2015, and 2025 to honor the 25th, 40th, and 50th anniversaries of the Philippine Basketball Association (PBA), respectively, with the list expanding for each milestone.

The first set, known as the 25 Greatest Players, was awarded when the league celebrated its 25th anniversary in 2000. During its silver anniversary, a TV special was held at the Araneta Coliseum on April 9. In 2015, 15 players were added to the list to commemorate the league's 40th anniversary. The awarding was held at the Newport Performing Arts Theater at Resorts World Manila on April 8. The award was rechristened as FAB @ 40 (40th Greatest Players).[1]

In 2025, the league added an additional 10 players to the list for the 50th anniversary, with the list renamed as the 50 Greatest Players. Similar to the previous two sets, there will be a pair of celebrations honoring the Greatest Players. The first was held on April 11 at Solaire Resort North to honor the ten new additions. The second will be held on October 5 for the opening ceremony of the 2025–26 PBA season, which will feature a reunion of all living Greatest Players.[2]

Criteria

The following criteria were used by a committee in selecting players for the first 25 players in the list:

  • The player must have played at least four (4) full seasons with the league.
  • The player must be a recipient of a major award (either an MVP or Rookie of the Year awardee or a member of the mythical selection, or all-defensive teams)
  • The player must have done a major impact with the sport and the league.
  • The player must have contributed towards the positive development of basketball in the country.

Players

Italics Denotes player who was active in the PBA at the time of induction
* Elected to the PBA Hall of Fame
All-Star Denotes number of All-Star appearances
Year Denotes year of PBA Hall of Fame induction

25 Greatest Players (2000)

Name School Teams played for (years) MVP won All-Star Year Ref
Script error: No such module "Sort". FEU Alaska (1993–2001)
Pop Cola (2001–2002)
Coca-Cola (2002–2006)
Barangay Ginebra (2006–2009, 2010)
 1 (1996) 7 (1994, 1995, 1996, 1997, 1998, 1999, 2001)
Script error: No such module "Sort".* UST Crispa (1975–1979)
U/Tex (1979–1982)
Great Taste (1982–1984)
Shell (1985–1986)
Hills Bros/Alaska (1987) 		3 (1975, 1976, 1981) n/a 2005
Script error: No such module "Sort". Lyceum San Miguel (1989–1996)
Sunkist/Pop Cola (1996–1997)
Sta Lucia (1999–2000)
Red Bull (2000–2001) 		1 (1992) 6 (1991, 1992, 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996)
Script error: No such module "Sort".* Ateneo Toyota (1975–1983)
Gilbey's Gin/Ginebra (1984–1986) 		none n/a 2005
Script error: No such module "Sort".* Pepperdine, DLSU Great Taste (1983–1987)
San Miguel (1987–1989) 		1 (1985) n/a 2009
Script error: No such module "Sort".* UE Great Taste/Presto (1987–1992)
San Miguel (1993–1998)
Barangay Ginebra (1999) 		1 (1990) 8 (1989, 1990, 1991, 1992, 1993, 1994, 1995, 1998) 2009
Script error: No such module "Sort".* Adamson San Miguel (1986–1994) none 3 (1989, 1990, 1993) 2009
Script error: No such module "Sort".* JRU Crispa (Template:Pbay–Template:Pbay)
Shell (Template:Pbay–Template:Pbay)
Great Taste/Presto (Template:Pbay–Template:Pbay)
Ginebra (Template:Pbay–Template:Pbay) 		1 (1980) 2 (1989, 1990) 2005
Script error: No such module "Sort".* Mapúa Crispa (Template:Pbay–Template:Pbay)
Manila Beer (Template:Pbay–Template:Pbay)
Great Taste/Presto (Template:Pbay–Template:Pbay) 		1 (1979) n/a 2005
Script error: No such module "Sort". UE Purefoods (Template:Pbay–Template:Pbay)
Mobiline/Talk 'N Text (Template:Pbay–Template:Pbay)
FedEx (Template:Pbay–Template:Pbay) 		none 11 (1989, 1990, 1991, 1992, 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 1997, 1998, 1999)
Script error: No such module "Sort". Adamson Sunkist/Pop Cola (Template:Pbay–Template:Pbay)
Alaska (Template:Pbay–Template:Pbay)
Sta. Lucia (Template:Pbay–Template:Pbay)
Coca-Cola (Template:Pbay) 		1 (1998) 9 (1995, 1996, 1997, 1998, 1999, 2000, 2001, 2003, 2004)
Script error: No such module "Sort". USJ-R Crispa (Template:Pbay–Template:Pbay)
Shell (Template:Pbay–Template:Pbay)
Presto (Template:Pbay–Template:Pbay)
Purefoods (Template:Pbay)
Diet Sarsi/Swift (Template:Pbay) 		none n/a
Script error: No such module "Sort".* San Carlos Toyota (Template:Pbay–Template:Pbay)
Beer Hausen/Manila Beer (Template:Pbay–Template:Pbay)
Tanduay (Template:Pbay–Template:Pbay)
Purefoods (Template:Pbay)
San Miguel (Template:Pbay–Template:Pbay) 		4 (1982, 1984, 1986, 1988) 5 (1989, 1990, 1991, 1993, 1994) 2005
Script error: No such module "Sort".* UST U/Tex (Template:Pbay–Template:Pbay)
7-Up (Template:Pbay)
Toyota (Template:Pbay–Template:Pbay)
Galerie Dominique (Template:Pbay) 		none n/a 2007
Script error: No such module "Sort".* USJ-R Crispa (Template:Pbay–Template:Pbay)
Tanduay (Template:Pbay)
Manila Beer (Template:Pbay)
San Miguel (Template:Pbay–Template:Pbay)
Purefoods (Template:Pbay)
Alaska (Template:Pbay)
Pepsi/7-Up (Template:Pbay–Template:Pbay)
Shell (Template:Pbay–Template:Pbay) 		2 (1983, 1987) 3 (1992, 1993, 1994) 2007
Script error: No such module "Sort".* Mapúa Crispa (Template:Pbay–Template:Pbay)
Tanduay (Template:Pbay–Template:Pbay)
Purefoods (Template:Pbay)
Shell (Template:Pbay–Template:Pbay)
Añejo (Template:Pbay–Template:Pbay) 		1 (1977) n/a 2011
Script error: No such module "Sort".* UE Toyota (Template:Pbay–Template:Pbay)
Gilbey's Gin/Añejo/Ginebra (Template:Pbay–Template:Pbay) 		1 (1978) 4 (1989, 1990, 1991, 1992) 2005
Script error: No such module "Sort". Ateneo, USJ-R Purefoods (Template:Pbay–Template:Pbay)
Alaska (Template:Pbay–Template:Pbay, Template:Pbay–Template:Pbay)
Pop Cola (Template:Pbay–Template:Pbay) 		none 8 (1989, 1990, 1991, 1992, 1993, 1994, 1996, 1998)
Script error: No such module "Sort".* DLSU Carrier (Template:Pbay)
U/Tex (Template:Pbay–Template:Pbay)
San Miguel (Template:Pbay)
Crispa (Template:Pbay)
Shel Azodrin (Template:Pbay)
Manila Beer (Template:Pbay) 		none n/a 2013
Script error: No such module "Sort".* Letran San Miguel (Template:Pbay–Template:Pbay) none 5 (1989, 1990, 1992, 1993, 1996) 2009
Script error: No such module "Sort".* UP Shell (Template:Pbay–Template:Pbay)
Sta Lucia (Template:Pbay–Template:Pbay)
Purefoods (Template:Pbay) 		none 7 (1989, 1990, 1991, 1992, 1993, 1994, 1995) 2013
Script error: No such module "Sort". JRU Presto (Template:Pbay)
Sta. Lucia (Template:Pbay)
Swift/Sunkist/Pop Cola (Template:Pbay–Template:Pbay)
Ginebra (Template:Pbay–Template:Pbay)
FedEx (Template:Pbay–Template:Pbay)
Red Bull (Template:Pbay–Template:Pbay)
Talk 'N Text (Template:Pbay)
 1 (1995) 10 (1992, 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 1997, 1998, 2000, 2003, 2004)
Script error: No such module "Sort".* UV Royal Tru-Orange (Template:Pbay–Template:Pbay)
Great Taste (Template:Pbay–Template:Pbay)
CDCP (Template:Pbay)
Royal/San Miguel/Magnolia (Template:Pbay–Template:Pbay) 		none n/a 2007
Script error: No such module "Sort".* Mapúa Purefoods (Template:Pbay–Template:Pbay) 4 (1991, 1993, 1994, 1997) 12 (1989, 1990, 1991, 1992, 1993, 1995, 1996, 1997, 1998, 1999, 2000, 2001) 2011
Script error: No such module "Sort".* UP Shell (Template:Pbay–Template:Pbay)
San Miguel (Template:Pbay) 		2 (1989, 1999) 9 (1989, 1990, 1991, 1992, 1994, 1995, 1996, 1999, 2000) 2013

40 Greatest Players (2015)

The fifteen selected players were added on top of the original 25 players.

Name School Teams played for (years) MVP won All-Star Ref
Script error: No such module "Sort".* Cal. State Talk 'N Text (2003–2015)Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters".
Meralco (2015–2016)Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters".
 1 (2011)Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". 11 (2003–2011, 2014–2015)Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters".
Script error: No such module "Sort".* Adamson Ginebra/Gordon's Gin/Barangay Ginebra (1996–2000)Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters".
Sta. Lucia (2000–2010)Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters".
Meralco (2010–2011)Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters".
 none 6 (1996, 1997, 1998, 1999, 2000, 2003)
Script error: No such module "Sort". Glendale CC Barangay Ginebra (2001–2020)Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters".
 1 (2012)Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". 13 (2001, 2004–2008, 2011–2013, 2015–2017, 2019)Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters".
Script error: No such module "Sort". PCU Talk 'N Text/TNT (2008–present)Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters".
 none 7 (2013–2019)Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters".
Script error: No such module "Sort".* NU San Miguel/Petron Blaze (1998–2013)Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters".
Meralco (2013–2015)Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters".
 2 (2000, 2001)Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". 8 (1999–2001, 2003–2005, 2007, 2009)Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters".
Script error: No such module "Sort".* Kentucky State Barangay Ginebra (2000–2017)Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters".
 1 (2009)Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". 6 (2005–2010)Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters".
Script error: No such module "Sort".* San Beda YCO-Tanduay (1981)Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters".
Toyota (1983)Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters".
Great Taste (1984–1985)Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters".
Ginebra (1986–1993)Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters".
 none 4 (1990, 1991, 1992, 1993)
Script error: No such module "Sort".* Lake Superior State Tanduay (1999–2001)Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters".
Barangay Ginebra (2001–2013)Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters".
GlobalPort (2013–2014)Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters".
Alaska (2014–2016)Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters".
 1 (2005)Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". 10 (1999–2000, 2003–2007, 2009–2011) Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters".
Script error: No such module "Sort".* Letran Batang Red Bull (2001–2003)Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters".
Talk 'N Text (2004–2006)Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters".
Alaska (2006–2010)Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters".
Ginebra (2010–2011)Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters".
Barako Bull (2011–2012)Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters".
GlobalPort (2012–2013)Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters".
Barako Bull (2013–2014)Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters".
Talk 'N Text (2015)Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters".
 2 (2002, 2007)Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". 9 (2001, 2003–2004, 2006–2011)Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters".
Script error: No such module "Sort". FEU FedEx Express (2004–2005)Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters".
Purefoods (2005–2008)Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters".
Magnolia/San Miguel (2008–2009)Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters".
Purefoods/B-Meg/San Mig Coffee/Star (2009–2019)Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters".
 none 14 (2005–2018)Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters".
Script error: No such module "Sort".* Letran Red Bull (2000–2001)Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters".
Purefoods/B-Meg (2002–2012)Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters".
Barangay Ginebra (2012–2013)Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters".
Meralco (2013)Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters".
 none 10 (2001, 2003–2011)Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters".
Script error: No such module "Sort". FEU Air21 (2006–2009)Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters".
San Miguel (2009–2021)Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters".
NorthPort (2021–present)Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters".
 1 (2013)Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". 11 (2008–2015, 2017-2019)Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters".
Script error: No such module "Sort". BYU Talk 'N Text (1999–2007)Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters".
Coca-Cola Tigers (2007–2010)Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters".
Meralco (2010–2012)Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters".
Air21 (2013–2014)Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters".
NLEX (2014–present)Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters".
 1 (2003)Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". 17 (1999, 2001, 2003–2012, 2015–2019)Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters".
Script error: No such module "Sort". Oakland Sta. Lucia Realtors (2006–2010)Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters".
Talk 'N Text/TNT (2010–2019, 2021–present)Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters".
 1 (2008)Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". 5 (2007–2011)Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters".
Script error: No such module "Sort". UE Purefoods/B-Meg/San Mig Coffee/Star (2004–2016)Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters".
Rain or Shine (2016–present)Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters".
 2 (2006, 2010)Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". 16 (2004–2019)Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters".

50 Greatest Players (2025)

The ten selected players were added on top of the 40 previously selected players.

On February 3, 2025, league commissioner Willie Marcial announced that a selection panel was formed to select the next ten players to join the Greatest Players list for the league's 50th anniversary that year. The panel included previous selections Allan Caidic, Atoy Co, and Ramon Fernandez, former coach Dante Silverio, former commissioner Sonny Barrios, former sports editors Ding Marcelo of the Manila Bulletin and Al Mendoza of the Philippine Daily Inquirer, the Philippine Sportswriters Association president and current The Philippine Star sports editor Nelson Beltran, and veteran broadcasters Joaquin Henson and Andy Jao.

Name School Teams played for (years) MVP won All-Star Ref
Script error: No such module "Sort". UM Purefoods (1989–1991)Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters".
Swift/Sunkist (1992–1996)Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters".
San Miguel (1996–1998)Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters".
Pop Cola (1999–2001)Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters".
Red Bull (2002–2006)Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". 		none 10 (1989–1993, 1995–1999) [2]
Script error: No such module "Sort". Sonoma State Alaska (1995–1997)Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters".
Mobiline (1997–1999)Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters".
Tanduay (2000–2001)Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters".
Coca-Cola (2002–2003)Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters".
Alaska (2004–2010)Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". 		none 10 (1995–1997, 1999–2001, 2003–2005)
Script error: No such module "Sort". UC Petron/San Miguel (2012–present)Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". 8 (2014–2019, 2023, 2024)Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". 9 (2013–2019, 2023, 2024)
Script error: No such module "Sort". Perpetual Presto (1991–1992)Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters".
Sta. Lucia (1993)Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters".
Alaska (1993–2000)Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters".
Tanduay (2001)Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters".
Coca-Cola (2003–2005)Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters".
Alaska (2005–2006)Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". 		none 3 (1994–1996)
Script error: No such module "Sort". San Beda Toyota (1977–1983)Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters".
Gold Eagle (1984)Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters".
Great Taste (1985–1992)Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters".
Purefoods (1993–1994)Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". 		none n/a
Script error: No such module "Sort". Wagner San Miguel/Magnolia (1999–2011)Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters".
Air21/Barako Bull (2011–2013)Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters".
TNT (2013–2017)Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". 		none 8 (1999–2001, 2004–2007, 2011)
Script error: No such module "Sort". Perpetual Barangay Ginebra (2015–present)Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". 1 (2021)Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". 6 (2016–2019, 2023, 2024)
Script error: No such module "Sort". UV Toyota (1977–1983)Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters".
Great Taste (1984)Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters".
Ginebra (1985)Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters".
Alaska (1986)Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters".
Great Taste (1987–1988)Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters".
Shell (1989–1990)Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters".
Presto (1990–1992)Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". 		none n/a
Script error: No such module "Sort". JRU Great Taste (1981–1986)Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters".
Shell (1987–1988)Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters".
Presto (1989–1990)Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters".
Pepsi/7-Up (1991–1992)Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters".
Ginebra (1993)Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters".
Purefoods (1994)Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters".
Sunkist (1996)Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". 		none 5
Script error: No such module "Sort". FEU Crispa (1981–1984)Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters".
Manila Beer (1985–1986)Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters".
Alaska (1987–1990)Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters".
Sunkist (1991–1995)Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters".
Pepsi (1996–1997)Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters".
San Miguel (1998)Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". 		none 3 (1989–1991)

Criticism

The additional 15 players that were added in 2015 caused criticism because some were still young and active (Williams - 33, Pingris - 34) and still at the peak of their career. Though the selection is valid, some from the 25 original greatest players questioned why some of the retired PBA legends were not included in the list like Nelson Asaytono, Danny Seigle, Abe King, Yoyoy Villamin, Olsen Racela, and Jeffrey Cariaso. Many have said that such players like Kerby Raymundo, Marlou Aquino, and Marc Pingris should have not been included on the list.

There were also controversial picks such as Chito Loyzaga who played for popular teams like Ginebra San Miguel and were selected over some of the aforementioned players. This is despite the fact that Loyzaga was only a one time member of the Mythical Second Team and played a supporting role to stars such as Robert Jaworski during his tenure with the team. Even Loyzaga himself quoted that he was being pranked when he heard the news of his selection.[3][4]

When selecting the next ten players in 2025, Marcial suggested the panel to review any potential nominees in batches by year in order to avoid similar criticism to the 2015 selections.[5][6]

Grand Slam coaches

Before handing out the awards to the original 25 Greatest Players, the four head coaches that accomplished the elusive Grand Slam up to the 2000 season were also recognized.

^ Denotes coach who is still active
* Elected to the PBA Hall of Fame
*^ Active coach who has been elected to the PBA Hall of Fame
HOF year Denotes year of PBA Hall of Fame induction
Name Team Grandslam year HOF year
Baby Dalupan* Crispa Redmanizers 1976 2005
Tommy Manotoc* Crispa Redmanizers 1983 2011
Norman Black*^ San Miguel Beermen 1989 2007
Tim Cone^ Alaska Milkmen 1996

See also

References

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  1. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  2. ↑ a b Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  3. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  4. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  5. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  6. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".

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External links

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