We are finally in the top 10 of our 2023 ranking!
Scoring (S) - 30 Points
This category primarily assesses a player's scoring capability. We closely examine their points per game while also placing significant emphasis on their efficiency in scoring. Moreover, we consider the various ways a player can score on the court, valuing those who can score effectively through diverse methods.
Defense (D) - 30 Points
Defense is a crucial aspect, constituting half of a player's game. This aspect evaluates a player's capacity to defend one-on-one. It also encompasses a player's ability to operate within a team's defensive strategy. Additionally, we account for a player's rebounding skills and their contribution to controlling the tempo of the game.
Offense (O) - 25 Points
While scoring is the ultimate aim of offense, this category examines the other elements that contribute to creating favorable scoring opportunities. It involves a player's aptitude for breaking down defenses and creating plays for teammates. Furthermore, we consider a player's decision-making, reading of the game, and ability to create space for his teammates.
Intangibles (I) - 15 Points
This criterion encompasses four vital attributes that enhance a player's value: leadership, chemistry, clutch performance, and health. These aspects are distinct from the previous categories but significantly elevate a player's overall worth. For instance, the value of a player like LA Tenorio is elevated by his leadership skills, chemistry with the team, ability to perform under pressure, and optimal health status.
In the case of ties, they will be ranked according to age with the youngest being the highest. The previous performances of the players were also considered in assessing them.
I understand that it is not easy to accept that Don is a top 10 player in the PBA right now. He entered the league to become a role player. But the guy keep developing and in the most recent season, he averaged 16.3 points, 47% FG, 44% 3FG, 5.2 rebounds and 2.3 assists per game.
The combination of efficiency, versatility, defense and scoring ability makes Don one of the 10 best player in the league. He is arguably the deadliest catch-and-shoot shooter in the league today as shown by his 2.4 three-pointers per game.
Mikey is easily the deadliest in breaking down the defense. He can keep on taking shots as long as his body can still do it. Last year, he averaged 18.4 points, 3.7 three-pointers made, 37% 3FG, 3.9 rebound and 4.1 assists per game.
Unfortunately, Mikey is just average defensively. And his issues off-the-court makes him a hard player to keep in the team. Also, I think he is a negative in terms of chemistry. Overall, this is just the right spot for a player that can carry a team to a crown and then give the management a lot of headaches after.
Bolick is basically the local version of Mikey as seen by their category ranking. Bolick is easily the best playmaking point guard in the league. He is also deadly in bending the defense with his three-point shooting ability.
Last season, he averaged 20.5 points, 44% FG, 5.0 rebounds and 6.1 assists per game. He is easily the most complete playmaker in the league. From vision, accuracy and breaking down the defense. Unfortunately, Robert is also giving trouble to his team now, off-the-court.
Perez proved that he is a superstar in the PBA by sustaining his effectiveness and massive numbers in the most loaded guard rotation in the league. Perez manufactured 18.8 points, 45% FG, 6.1 rebounds, 4.2 assists and 1.9 steals per game.
Perez do not bend defenses with his shooting but with his ability to go go deep into the rim, at will. Defensively, Perez is very effective because of his athleticism and activity. Overall, CJ is one of the foundation of San Miguel after the era of The Kraken.
With his amazing performance in the Asian Games, it should be much easier to explain why Newsome is here. Chris put up 14.9 points, 5.2 rebounds, 4.8 assists and 1,0 steal per game. Yes, the guys above have better numbers but Chris is arguably the most well-rounded.
With better outside shot, his offense is a bit better than Perez. And of course, we all recognize right now that Newsome is a nasty lockdown defender. He is a fundamentally sound defender that strong players cannot push around.
I did not anticipate that Jamie will be this important to Ginebra, right away. He is currently the swift-army-knife of Ginebra. He defends imports. He can be the main scorer in a half-court set. He can be the guy that clean up defensive mistakes. He will be the one that will save the ball from getting to the outside.
Last season, he averaged 15.1 points, 46% FG, 36% 3FG, 7.5 rebounds, 2.4 assists and 1.4 steals per game. He is a versatile player on both ends of the court. Offensively, he space the floor, find his teammates, attack the basket, terrorize on fastbreaks and cut amazingly.
Defensively, he is one of the most complete player in the league. He can protect the rim, he navigates screens very well, he can defend in the perimeter and can stop fastbreaks.
Mikey remains to be the main man of TNT but RR is their most complete player. He cannot breakdown defenses with his ball-handling but he can also bend defenses with his three-point shooting. Also, he is arguably the best post-up scorer in the wing position.
Defensively, RR is a unique type also. He is one of the best in defending bigger players who want to bully him inside. He can also help in protecting the rim. And of course, he is one of the most diligent perimeter defender in the league.
Pogoy manufactured 18.3 points, 4.0 rebounds, 2.0 assists, 1.4 steals, 41% 3FG and 2.5 three-pointers per game. Pogoy is easily the hottest hand in the league. If he is on the zone, he can hit as much as ten long bombs in a single game!
I am easily the biggest fan of Standhardinger. When he is still playing with Fajardo in San Miguel, I already assessed him as the biggest threat to throne of Fajardo. He is finally here. It took him a while to find a dominant role under coach Tim Cone but now he has it.
He averaged 15.3 points, 56% FG, 8.7 rebounds, 4.0 assists and 0.7 steal per game. For a giant center to be very good in finding his teammates, he must be very talented. Defensively, Standhardinger is also credible with his size and willingness to go dirty in the perimeter.
Thompson has inspired a new breed of wings in the country. Rebounding has been emphasize now even for smaller players because of the big positive that it brings to a team. The rebounding of Thompson easily pushed him at the top of the defensive category. Add his resiliency and activity on the defensive end and he is really #1 there.
Offensively, Scottie is not elite in handling the ball. But he is very smart in finding his teammates. He has superb vision and with pristine passing ability on the move, he can easily create for others. His outside shot is slowly improving.
Last season, he produced 13.9 points, 49% FG, 36% 3FG, 7.7 rebounds, 6.0 assists and 1.6 steals per game. A clear picture of completeness. He can still get into another level.
We started this ranking in 2018 and this is our fifth one. Nobody has taken the top spot from Fajardo in that span. A clear showcase of dominance that propelled him to the Greatest of All Time conversation in the PBA. Nobody has gave us enough reason to get him out of this spot.
In 2023, he tallied 17.7 points, 60% FG, 13.5 rebounds, 2.9 assists and 1.3 blocks per game. He is easily the most unstoppable scorer in the league. Nobody can consistently defend him one-on-one in the paint. And with his improving passing ability, it will not become easier soon.
Overall, there is a good chance that this will be his last year on this spot and we are about to enter a new era. But, I also think that he still have one more Kraken season.
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