The rain was coming down in sheets as I ducked into the neighborhood sports bar, water dripping from my jacket onto the worn wooden floor. It was one of those classic Manila downpours that could wash away your entire afternoon plans. Through the steam-fogged windows, I could just make out the neon signs flickering to life along the street as evening settled in. I settled into my usual corner booth, the leather seat groaning in familiar protest, and ordered my regular San Miguel. The television above the bar was showing highlights from last season's PBA games, and that's when it hit me - basketball season was upon us again.
You see, I've been following the Philippine Basketball Association since I was a kid watching games with my lolo back in the 90s. There's something magical about how this country embraces its basketball heroes. The bartender, a guy named Lodi who'd played college ball back in his day, wiped the counter and nodded toward the screen. "You know what makes a true star?" he asked, not waiting for my answer. "You can be taller but there are players both in the men's and women's games who are not the most physical, not the most overwhelming or won't appear spectacular but has phenomenal consistency, lots of tools, lots of shots, lot of solutions and can do things on both ends on the floor." He gestured with his cleaning rag toward the player on screen. "That's the kind of talent that wins championships."
That conversation got me thinking about this season's PBA line up star hotshot players - the ones who might not always make the flashy plays but consistently deliver when it matters most. Take June Mar Fajardo - the man's a walking institution at this point. I remember watching him drop 28 points and 15 rebounds against Ginebra last season while playing through what later turned out to be a minor knee strain. The guy's consistency is almost mechanical - 18.3 points per game average over his last 45 games, if you're counting. He's not the most athletic big man you'll ever see, but my god does he have solutions for every defensive scheme thrown at him.
Then there's Scottie Thompson - and I'll admit I'm slightly biased here because I love how he reinvented the guard position in Philippine basketball. The man does everything. I was at the Araneta Coliseum last February when he recorded that triple-double against Meralco - 12 points, 11 rebounds, 10 assists, and honestly, the stats don't even capture how he controlled the game's tempo. He's that rare player who impacts winning without needing to take 20 shots a game. What makes him truly special though is his two-way play - I've lost count of how many fast breaks he's stopped single-handedly before turning them into transition opportunities at the other end.
The women's game has its own emerging stars too, though they don't always get the attention they deserve. I've been particularly impressed with Afril Bernardino's development over the past two seasons. She's not the tallest forward at 5'11", but watch her play for five minutes and you'll see what Lodi was talking about. Her mid-range game has become absolutely lethal - she shot 46% from that area last conference, which is just ridiculous efficiency. What really stands out to me is her basketball IQ; she always seems to make the right read whether she's operating from the post or facilitating from the perimeter.
Of course, no discussion about the PBA line up star hotshot players would be complete without mentioning the newcomers. There's this rookie out of Ateneo - Juan Gomez de Liaño - who I think could surprise people. I caught a couple of his preseason games, and the kid has this calmness about him that you don't often see in first-year players. He's not going to blow by you with explosive athleticism, but he changes speeds so well and has at least five different ways to score once he gets into the lane. If he develops consistent three-point range - he shot just 31% from deep in college - he could become a real problem for opposing defenses.
What makes analyzing this season's PBA line up star hotshot contenders so fascinating is how the game has evolved. When I first started watching religiously back in the early 2000s, it was all about having one dominant scorer who could get you 25 every night. Now, the most valuable players are the ones who contribute across multiple categories and make their teammates better. I was looking at some advanced stats last week - the top five players in Player Efficiency Rating last season all averaged at least 15 points, 7 rebounds, and 4 assists. That kind of all-around production was almost unheard of a decade ago.
The rain had slowed to a drizzle outside, and I realized I'd been sitting there for two hours, nursing my beer and watching highlights. The television was now showing a preview segment for the upcoming season opener, and I felt that familiar excitement building. There's something about the start of a new PBA season that feels like Christmas morning for basketball fans in this country. The narratives that will develop, the breakout performances nobody saw coming, the veteran players who find another gear when everyone thought they were done - this is why we keep coming back. As I paid my tab and stepped out into the damp evening air, I found myself already counting down the days until tip-off. This PBA line up star hotshot season promises to be one for the books, and frankly, I can't wait to see which players rise to the occasion.
