Pba's Best Teams

[encounter_doc]

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?

[gift_of_game]

#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)

 

these were the only two teams with grand slams of recent memory that I actually got to follow.

 

I remember the San Mig team because my grandpa was such a huge fan and he was so glued to the TV and so into the game that he got chest pain when they were on the ropes in tight games (which they often found a way to win anyway, regardless).

if I remember right (I'm not too sure), Samboy played a huge role in winning the last cup that year.

 

as for the A-Team, well, this was another team for the ages.

Triangle Offense references aside, these guys were really more like the Spurs than the Bulls in that they made the most out of each play, kept their egos in check and never really cared about anything but winning the championship.

and yeah, the way they toyed with teams with their ultra-efficient offense also bordered on the vanilla-flavored boredom for some people.

[howard_the_duck]

dapat pwera na ang mga grand slams

 

sunkist 1995

[kLique]

I guess it will have to be the 1989 SMB Team that won the Grandslam

[Makunouchi]

Crispa Redminizers

[cyke98]

GI-NEB-RA!!! Never say die! :thumbsupsmiley:

[o0onapstero0o]

dapat pwera na ang mga grand slams

 

sunkist 1995

 

 

 

during the mid early to mid 90's alaska at sunkist ang naglalaban sa finals... sa lahat ata ng conf! yung imports din nila ang laging naglalaban for best import awards! :thumbsupsmiley:

[reachard]

Formula Shell - Paras and Magsanoc era, Ritchie Ticzon, Rommel Santos, Peter Naron, Jojo Lim, Joel Dualan, Jun Marzan times :cool:

 

San Miguel Beer - Asaytono, Lim, Alvarez era :cool:

[silver41surfer]

1998-1999 SHELL TURBOCHARGERS!

 

Paras, Pablo, Jackson, Castillo, Esplana and coach Perry! :thumbsupsmiley:

[Eddy Syet]

The Alvin Patrimonio era of Purefoods/Coney Island! :thumbsupsmiley:

[o0onapstero0o]

Formula Shell - Paras and Magsanoc era, Ritchie Ticzon, Rommel Santos, Peter Naron, Jojo Lim, Joel Dualan, Jun Marzan times :cool:

 

San Miguel Beer - Asaytono, Lim, Alvarez era :cool:

 

 

 

i thought sunkist si ritchie ticzon dati?

[kLique]

i thought sunkist si ritchie ticzon dati?

 

correct me if I'm wrong but perhaps you're confusing him with Boybits Victoria?

Edited February 28, 2008 by kLique

[orionpax]

hmmm

 

Crispa of 1976 --firepower!! >> Adornado, Co, Guidaben, Fabiosa, Cezar!

 

Toyota of 1978 -- Arnaiz, Abe King, Fernandez, Jawo, Florencio

 

Great Taste/Presto 1985 - Co, Arnie Tuadles, Joy Carpio, Cezar, Fabiosa, Caidic, Ricky Brown, Onchie dela Cruz

 

Ginebra 1986 - Ampalayo, Jawo, Loyzaga Bros, Saldana, Arnaiz, Mamaril, J. Marquez

 

Ginebra/Anejo 1988 - Ampalayo, Distrito, Jawo, Loyzaga Bros, Leo Isaac, Mamaril, Saldana

 

Formula Shell 1990 - Paras, Magsanoc, Richard Bognot, Romy Dela Rosa, Jojo Martin

 

SMB 1989 - Elmer Reyes, Samboy Lim, Ricky Brown, Calma, Teng, Dignadice, Fernandez, Graves, F. Pumaren

 

Gordons Gin - Aquino, Hizon, David, Jarencio, Locsin, Gayoso, Wilmer Ong

Edited February 28, 2008 by orionpax

[o0onapstero0o]

correct me if I'm wrong but perhaps you're confusing him with Boybits Victoria?

 

 

 

ay uu nga pla... si boybits nga pla yung sunkist dati. lagi kasi kaming may free pass sa cuneta pag may laro sila ticzon kasi uncle ng classmate ko nagkakataon kasi lagingsunkist ang kalaban nila that time...

[perstaymer]

Formula Shell - Paras and Magsanoc era, Ritchie Ticzon, Rommel Santos, Peter Naron, Jojo Lim, Joel Dualan, Jun Marzan times :cool:

 

San Miguel Beer - Asaytono, Lim, Alvarez era :cool:

 

Agree ako dito, late 90's na Shell era, lalo na yung nagwalkout yung Ginebra dati, anti-Ginebra ako dati eh. Tapos ngayon kaibigan ko na si Pido. hiniritan ko once "kawawa lagi sayo idol ko dati (magsanoc)" to which he reply "off the court magkaibigan kami nun, ako naman kasi malalagot kay Jawo pag di ako sumunod" :upside:

 

other shell players na namimiss ko...

 

Allan Garrido (irregular heartbeat ata)

 

Joey Guanio

 

Jolly Escobar

 

Leo Isaac

 

and ang may topak na si Ricky Relosa! :flowers: