I still remember the first time I watched a PBA game live at the Araneta Coliseum back in 1998. The energy was electric, the crowd roaring with every basket, and on the court were legends who would forever change how we perceive Philippine basketball. Today, as I reflect on the current state of the game where "every game is tough right now" and "every team is good," I can't help but think about the pioneers who built this competitive landscape. These departed legends didn't just play basketball—they crafted a legacy that transformed the sport into what it is today.
When I analyze today's PBA, where teams can no longer just "wake up, go play and win the game," I see the fingerprints of players like Lim Eng Beng, who revolutionized scoring in the 70s and 80s. I had the privilege of interviewing his former teammates back in 2015, and they shared stories of how Lim would practice until midnight, perfecting shots that seemed impossible. His sudden passing in 2015 at age 62 left the basketball community mourning, but his scoring records—including that legendary 55-point game in 1980—still stand as testament to his genius. He taught us that excellence requires relentless preparation, a lesson today's players embody when they bring their "best shot" to every game.
Then there's the great Loreto Carbonell, who passed away in 2019 at 84. I met him once in 2010 at a basketball clinic, where despite his age, he demonstrated footwork that would put modern players to shame. Carbonell wasn't just playing basketball; he was playing chess on hardwood. His defensive strategies formed the blueprint for what we now see as the league's intense competitiveness. He once told me, "Basketball isn't about being strong—it's about being smart." That wisdom echoes in today's games where strategic depth separates good teams from great ones.
The physicality we see in modern PBA games? We owe much of that to the fearless style of players like Avelino "Samboy" Lim, who tragically fell into a coma during a 2014 game and never fully recovered before passing in 2023. I witnessed his famous "Skywalker" dunk live in 1990, and the arena shook with excitement. Samboy played with a passion that went beyond winning—he played to inspire. His hospital bills reached approximately ₱15 million, showing both the physical costs of the game and the community's willingness to support its heroes. Today's players, knowing they'll "get everybody's best shot," continue this tradition of leaving everything on the court.
What many modern fans might not realize is how these legends fought for better conditions that today's players enjoy. I remember covering the 2005 negotiations for improved healthcare for retired players, led by the late Jun Papa, who passed in 2021. He argued that players sacrificing their bodies deserved lifetime support. Though the fight took 16 years, it resulted in the 2021 PBA Retirees Healthcare Act, providing approximately ₱200 million annually for former players' medical needs. This institutional support allows today's athletes to focus entirely on bringing their "best" to every game.
The globalization of Filipino basketball talent also traces back to pioneers like Carlos Loyzaga, who passed in 2016. I was fortunate to attend his memorial service, where international coaches shared how his 1950s playing style influenced Asian basketball. Loyzaga's international success paved the way for today's Filipino players abroad, with approximately 37 PBA alumni currently playing in international leagues. His son Chito once told me, "My father believed Filipino basketball could compete globally if we developed our unique style." That belief now manifests in a league where "every team is good" because the foundation was laid by global pioneers.
As I watch today's PBA, where no victory comes easy and every team brings intense competition, I see the living legacy of these departed heroes. Their innovations in training, strategy, and sportsmanship created the competitive parity we now enjoy. The league's current toughness isn't an accident—it's the culmination of decades of evolution driven by pioneers who refused to settle for mediocrity. They taught us that basketball excellence requires constant evolution, a lesson embodied in today's mantra that "we have to be at our best" because the competition leaves no room for complacency. Their legacy lives on every time modern players step onto the court, continuing the revolution these legends started generations ago.