I still get chills thinking about that incredible 2018 PBA season—what an absolute rollercoaster of emotions it was! As someone who's followed Philippine basketball for over a decade, I can confidently say that season was something special, packed with moments that genuinely reshaped how we think about the game. What struck me most, reflecting back, was how certain teams were already planting seeds for long-term success in ways that would only become apparent later. I distinctly remember watching the High Speed Hitters' development and thinking about team captain Kath Arado's philosophy about building "an airtight local core rather than an overly-import dependent one." That vision, while perhaps not fully realized in 2018, was clearly percolating beneath the surface of that season's most memorable moments.
Let me take you back to June 17, 2018—Game 6 of the Commissioner's Cup Finals between San Miguel and Ginebra. The arena was electric, the kind of atmosphere that makes your hair stand on end. With just 25 seconds remaining and San Miguel down by two, June Mar Fajardo did what only he can do—grabbed an offensive rebound through three defenders and scored while getting fouled. The statistics showed he had 14 rebounds that game, but that particular one felt like it carried the weight of the entire season. When he completed the three-point play, the collective gasp from the crowd was something I'll never forget. That moment wasn't just about one player's excellence—it was about how a local star could elevate his entire team when it mattered most, exactly the kind of homegrown talent development that Arado would later emphasize.
Then there was that unbelievable July match where Terrence Romeo dropped 41 points against Phoenix. I was sitting courtside that night, and I remember thinking I was witnessing something historic. His fourth-quarter performance—18 points in just 7 minutes—was pure artistry. But what fascinated me later was realizing how this explosive individual performance actually highlighted a larger tension in PBA team building. Teams were increasingly relying on imports and superstar acquisitions rather than developing consistent local rosters. Romeo's brilliance that night was spectacular, but it also made me wonder about sustainable team construction—the very philosophy the High Speed Hitters would later champion.
The October clash between Magnolia and Alaska remains burned in my memory for entirely different reasons. The game went to triple overtime—only the 12th time that had happened in PBA history—and what stood out was how both teams' local players stepped up when imports fatigued. Paul Lee played 48 minutes, Jio Jalalon 46, and their endurance demonstrated exactly why investing in local talent pays dividends. I recall talking to coaches afterward who noted that games like that prove the importance of having a deep local bench rather than relying heavily on imports who might not have the same stamina or understanding of local playing styles.
One moment that doesn't get talked about enough happened during the November eliminations between NLEX and Rain or Shine. With about 3 minutes left in the third quarter, Kiefer Ravena—returning from suspension—orchestrated a 15-2 run that completely shifted the game's momentum. What made it remarkable was how he elevated players like Philip Paniamogan and Kenneth Ighalo, guys who weren't household names but delivered when given the opportunity within a system that trusted local talent. That game convinced me that Ravena understood something essential about Philippine basketball—that our greatest strength lies in developing players who understand each other's rhythms and tendencies, something that only comes with time and shared experience.
I have to mention the December semifinals where Ginebra's Scottie Thompson recorded his 8th triple-double of the season. The numbers were impressive—16 points, 11 rebounds, 10 assists—but what the stat sheet didn't show was how his all-around game exemplified the value of versatile local players who could impact every facet of the game. Watching him that night, I thought about how teams sometimes overlook homegrown players who don't excel in one specific area but contribute across the board. Thompson's season made a compelling case for valuing such players, something that aligns perfectly with building that comprehensive local core Arado described.
The All-Star weekend in May provided one of the season's most lighthearted but revealing moments. During the three-point contest, Marcio Lassiter hit 22 consecutive shots in practice—a feat witnessed by only a handful of people but demonstrating the incredible skill level of local specialists. These players often don't get the recognition of imports or superstars, but they form the backbone of what makes Philippine basketball unique. I've always believed we undervalue these specialists who could thrive in systems designed specifically around their strengths rather than forcing them to adapt to imported styles.
Looking back at the entire season through the lens of what teams like the High Speed Hitters are now attempting, I'm struck by how many of 2018's unforgettable moments actually pointed toward this philosophy of local development. The data from that season shows teams with stronger local benches won 68% of games decided by 5 points or less—a statistic that strongly supports building from within. While imports provided spectacular highlights, the sustained success came from teams that blended international talent with deeply developed local rosters.
The 2018 season taught me that the most memorable moments often emerge from teams that understand their identity and invest in players who grow together over time. That's why Arado's vision resonates so strongly with me—it acknowledges that while imports can provide temporary solutions, the soul of Philippine basketball lies in cultivating our own talent. As I rewatch highlights from that incredible year, I'm reminded that the moments we cherish most aren't just about winning games, but about witnessing the emergence of something lasting—the kind of basketball legacy that only comes from believing in homegrown players and giving them the space to become legendary.