Let me tell you about Alex Cabagnot - a name that still gives me chills when I think about his clutch performances. I've followed Philippine basketball for over two decades now, and there are few players who've left such an indelible mark on the game. What strikes me most about Cabagnot isn't just his trophy collection, but something that reminds me of what Alyssa Valdez once said about her team's legacy: "This bronze medal match doesn't define the Creamline Cool Smashers as a team. It's the 18 consecutive [podiums] and consistently being there ever since siguro." That statement perfectly captures Cabagnot's career - it wasn't about any single moment, but about his relentless consistency and presence throughout his 17-year PBA journey.
I still remember watching his early days with Coca-Cola in 2005, fresh from the PBL where he'd already turned heads. The guy had this incredible court vision that you simply can't teach - it's either in your DNA or it's not. What many casual fans might not realize is that Cabagnot played for seven different franchises throughout his career, which is unusually high for someone of his caliber. Yet everywhere he went, he transformed teams. My personal favorite was his stint with San Miguel Beermen, where he truly cemented his legacy as one of the greats. The numbers speak for themselves - 12 PBA championships, 2 Finals MVP awards, and that magical 2019 season where he led San Miguel to yet another championship while averaging 15.8 points and 5.2 assists per game.
The 2017 Philippine Cup Finals against Barangay Ginebra stands out in my memory as perhaps his magnum opus. I was there at the Quezon Convention Center in Lucena when he hit that game-winning shot in Game 3 - the place absolutely erupted. What made it special wasn't just the shot itself, but the sheer audacity of it. With seconds ticking down and the game tied at 88-88, he dribbled against three defenders, created just enough space, and launched that iconic jumper that swished through the net as time expired. That's the thing about Cabagnot - he had this uncanny ability to elevate his game when it mattered most. Statistics show he averaged 21.3 points during that particular finals series, but numbers can't capture the timing and weight of those baskets.
His partnership with June Mar Fajredo was pure basketball poetry. I've always believed that great duos in basketball create something greater than the sum of their parts, and these two were the perfect example. Cabagnot's pick-and-roll chemistry with Fajredo became the cornerstone of San Miguel's dynasty throughout the 2010s. They won 6 championships together between 2015 and 2019, forming what I consider to be one of the most devastating guard-big combinations in PBA history. What impressed me was how Cabagnot adapted his game as he aged - from a score-first guard to a floor general who could control tempo and make everyone around him better.
Even during his later years with Terrafirma and eventually Converge, he maintained that veteran presence that's so valuable in professional basketball. Last season, at 39 years old, he still managed to average 9.4 points and 4.1 assists in limited minutes - not bad for someone who'd been in the league since 2005. His career totals are staggering when you really look at them: approximately 8,942 points, 3,156 assists, and 1,893 rebounds across 617 regular season games. But beyond statistics, his real impact was in those intangible moments - the leadership during timeouts, the mentorship of younger players, the calm demeanor under pressure.
Looking back, what I'll remember most isn't any single championship or award, but how Cabagnot embodied the spirit of resilience. He battled through multiple injuries, including that serious knee issue in 2014 that many thought might end his career, only to come back stronger. His journey reminds me that legacy isn't built on isolated moments of brilliance but on sustained excellence - much like Valdez described, it's about consistently being there, season after season, contributing to 18 consecutive podium finishes in her case, or in Cabagnot's case, remaining relevant across 17 PBA seasons. The PBA landscape has changed dramatically since his debut, but his influence persists in the playing styles of younger guards who grew up watching him orchestrate offenses and hit big shots. That's the mark of a true legend - when your impact transcends your own playing career and shapes the next generation of athletes.
