Not a thread on which franchise is the all-time best, or has won more championships (i.e. San Miguel), but which teams had the best performance over the course of a season. I admit I was a Crispa fan before, but I will try to be objective as possible ----------------------------- #1 Crispa, 1983 (Grand Slam) You can't go wrong with this team. Their first 5 were Guidaben, Cezar, Hubalde, Co, and Fabiosa. Their bench is composed of Bay Cristobal, Yoyoy Villamin, Padim Israel and Mon Cruz - these guys would start on any other teams. To top it all, they had Billy Ray Bates as import. Guidaben (MVP), Cezar and Co were part of the Mythical 5. After #1, the rest of the rankings would be debatable. Here's my attempt in ranknig #2 to #10 #2 Crispa, 1976 (Grand Slam) PBA's first grand slam team. Crispa still had Bogs Adornado in their line up, who won his 2nd MVP that season. Their imports were Bill Bunton and the legendary Cyrus Mann #3 San Miguel, 1989 (Grand Slam) During that season, they had the best all around player (Fernandez), best point guard (Calma), best finisher (Elmer Reyes), the best big-man defender (Alvin Teng), and the best coach (Norman Black) #4 Alaska, 1996 (Grand Slam) Not only did they won all team trophies, they also had a monopoly on the individual awards. Their starting unit is one the best ever: Abbarientos (MVP, All Defensive team), Bong Hawkins (Mythical 1st team), Jojo Lastimosa (Mythical 1st team), Jeffrey Cariaso (Mythical 2nd team, All Defensive team), and Poch Juinio (Most improved player) #5 Toyota, 1978 (AFC and Invitational - champions, Open - 3rd place) If they won the Open (and therefore, the Grand Slam), I would put this team in the #2 rank. This is arguably Toyota's best season, with a lineup consisting of 6 certified PBA superstars: Jaworski, Arnaiz, Fernandez, Abe King, Danny Florencio, and Estoy Estrada. Plus, their import was Carlos Terry whom I consider as one of the top 2 "small" imports of all time (together with Bates) #6 Crispa, 1977 (AFC and Open - champions) Almost another grand slam for Crispa. Losing 2-time MVP Bogs Adornado to a season-ending injury, Crispa leaned on the sweet shooting of MVP Freddie Hubalde to capture the AFC crown. They beat a Mariwasa team in the AFC finals led by Billy Robinson (yes, Mariwasa had an import even though it was the AFC). Cyrus Mann returned to help Crispa capture the Open conference title. Boy, this was the height of the Crispa-Toyota rivalry. You think those Joseph Yeo and Enrico Villanueva altercations are nasty? After a game during the eliminations, these 2 teams had a free-for-all fight at the dugout, instigated by Fernandez and Co. The 2 teams were detained for 1 night at Ft. Bonofacio - probably the only time in the history of the PBA that players were detained at a police camp because of fights. It's difficult to identify which teams would round up the top 10, since some teams will undeservedly be left out. #7 Great Taste, 1984 (2nd AFC, Invitational - champions, 1st AFC - 2nd place) Great has the disticntion of the only team to win 4 straight championships, but not a grand slam (they won the 2nd and 3rd conferences in 1984, and the 1st and 2nd conferences in 1985). I've put the 1984 team in this ranking over the 1985 team simply because Crispa was still playing during that time. Although Fernandez won the MVP with Beer Hausen that season, Manny Victorino was considered as a top 3 center. Together with Ricky Brown, Adornado, Tuadles, Joel Banal, Frankie Lim, Joy Carpio, and Jimmy Manansala, they formed a very formidable nucleus. #8 Toyota, 1982 (Reinforced, Open - champions) One of only 2 seasons (the other was 1978) when Crispa did not win a single championship. Even as a Crispa fan, I would say that the Toyota line up during this season was better than that of Crispa - aside from a powerful starting 5 of Jaworski, Arnaiz, Tuadles, King, and Fernandez, their bench consist of former amateur standouts Tim Coloso, Ricky Relosa, Ed Cordero, and Terry Saldana. Saldana would have won the ROY that season if not for his involvement in a fight against the visiting South Korean team #9 Ginebra, 2004-05 (Fiesta, Philippine - champions) Although the 2004 Fiesta conference (with Torraye Braggs as import) was a transitional conference and is not officially part of the 2004-05 season, it's hard to ignore how dominant they were during this span, regardless of the controversy surrounding the citizenship of Asi Taulava during the finals of the Philippine Cup. #10 Sunkist, 1995 (AFC, Commisioner's - champions, Governor's - 3rd place) They had a star-studded lineup led by Meneses (MVP), Asaytono and Boybits Victoria. Vilamin found the fountain of youth during that season and was factor on the defensive end. As a bonus, Bonel Balingit had his best season (mythical 2nd team selection). Their import during the Commisioner's cup was the hard working Ronnie Grandison. Prior to the season, Andy Jao mentioned "Give Derick (Pumaren) a good team and he will give you good results" - and Pumaren delivered. I'm sure there will be valid arguments on why the following teams should be in the top 10. As you might have noticed, I have a slight bias towards teams who won the AFC crown, because prior to the 2004-05 (during the time when there were still 3 conferences per season), the AFC was considered as the most prestigious title. Great Taste, 1985 (Open, AFC - champions) The powerful NCC team foiled their bid for a grand slam Alaska, 1998 (AFC, Commisioner's - champions) If not for the Asian Games, it could have been a 2nd grand slam for the franchise San Miguel, 1988 (Open, Reinforced - champions) San Miguel, 1999 (Commisioner's, Governor's - champions) San Miguel, 2000 (Commisioner's, Governor's - champions) Tough call (esp for the 1988 squad). I would have put any of these teams in the top 10, if only they performed better in the AFC Ginebra, 2006-07 (Philippine cup - champions) They still had the nucleus of the 2004-05 team plus a deep bench. However, call ups to the national team affected their chances to win the Fiesta cup, hence their poor showing during that conference. Purefoods/Coney Island, 1993 (AFC - champions, Commisioner's - 2nd place) Patrimonio and Codinera were 1 and 2 in the MVP race Ginebra, 1986 (Open - champions, AFC - 2nd place, Reinforced - 3rd place) Jaworski's best season with Ginebra. Remember the Hackett/Bates combo?
