SMC teams dominate PBA’s ‘new era’

April 23, 2010 | Posted by Benjie

Three teams belonging to the diversifying conglomerate San Miguel Corporation have dominated the Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) since the league instituted significant reforms. I remember in late 2003, then Commissioner Noli Eala was at the forefront in initiating changes in the association, considered as the first professional basketball league in Asia. The revisions include: adopting a two-conference format in a season and changing the season calendar in line with FIBA calendar. So, beginning 2004, PBA’s landscape has been modified. I call it PBA’s ‘new era’.

As I check through the records, I notice the three teams of San Miguel combined have won eight titles of the twelve conferences so far. Barangay Ginebra has the most with four, San Miguel Beer with two and Purefoods Giants, now known as Derby Ace Llamados, have also two. It is also worthy to point out that these three teams are the only ones with multiple titles so far. Red Bull Barakos, Alaska Aces, Sta. Lucia Realtors and TNT Tropang Texters have all won one championship each.

The same thing goes with the players. Five of the nine Best Player of the Confrence (BPC) awardees are from SMC teams. Mutliple winners Eric Menk and Jayjay Helterbrand are from Barangay Ginebra. The two were selected as the best in the conference twice each. Other BPC awardees coming from SMC clubs include Danny Seigle, Mark Caguioa and James Yap.

With it, I would say that SMC ballclubs have ruled PBA’s ‘new era’. It’s about time for the other teams to take the challenge.