AMID the differing opinions that followed the PBA's announcement of the 10 newest entries to its 'Greatest Players' list on Wednesday night, one longtime basketball fan decided to use new technology to settle an old, lingering question.
Ariel Morales said he asked an Artificial Intelligence (AI) chatbot app to select the 10 based on a set of criteria he set: total championships and individual awards won, career stats, and what he termed as 'cultural impact and legacy,' which which we interpret to mean the 'intangibles' like leadership, influence and contributions to the national team.
INSIDE STORY: How the PBA's 10 new Greatest Players were chosen
Before we bare the list, allow us to be clear that the AI choices are not bound by rules and parameters the PBA's own selection committee set, like limiting the candidates to players who played between 1975 and 1995 (except the MVPs who were automatically seeded), which disqualified some of the AI choices here beginning with LA Tenorio, and judging players based solely on their achievements in the PBA.
Again, this is not to undermine the PBA's own selections or question the decisions of its screening committee. This is merely to give an idea how a modern-day tool would come to such a decision if given the task.
So here goes:
1. June Mar Fajardo – The most dominant PBA big man in history, 8-time MVP, multiple championships, Finals MVPs, and a game-changer for San Miguel.
2. Danny Seigle – Arguably the best offensive forward in PBA history, 4-time Finals MVP, a major player in the SMC dynasty, and a key part of the national team.
3. Nelson Asaytono – One of the best scorers never to win an MVP, multiple All-Star selections, and one of the most dominant forwards in the 90s.
4. LA Tenorio – One of the best point guards in PBA history, long-time floor general, Finals MVP, multiple championships with Ginebra, and a Gilas mainstay.
5. Abe King – A rugged enforcer and key piece of the Toyota and Great Taste dynasties. Multiple-time champion and a tough defensive anchor.
6. Bong Hawkins – An elite all-around forward, multiple-time champion with Alaska, crucial in the 90s, and highly respected for his consistency.
7. Ranidel de Ocampo – One of the most skilled stretch bigs in PBA history, multiple championships with TNT, key player for Gilas Pilipinas, and a consistent performer.
8. Scottie Thompson – Multiple-time champion, Finals MVP, and known for his hustle and clutch play.
9. Arnie Tuadles – A legendary forward and a champion with Toyota, but his off-court controversies hurt his legacy.
10. Olsen Racela – Legendary point guard of San Miguel’s dynasty, clutch shooter, multiple-time champion, and one of the best playmakers in PBA history.
Fell outside the Top 10 cut:
Yoyoy Villamin – A physical and skilled big man, multiple-time champion, a major force in the 80s and 90s.
Japeth Aguilar – A key player for Ginebra, multiple-time champion, Gilas mainstay, and a rare athletic big in the PBA. His inconsistency keeps him from moving higher.
Jun Limpot – “The Silent Operator,” dominant early in his career but lacked championships. Still one of the best big men of his era.
Alex Cabagnot – A clutch guard, part of the San Miguel dynasty, and a multiple-time champion. His impact was great, but not transcendent.
Dennis Espino – A dominant big man in the late 90s and early 2000s.
Jeff Cariaso – A reliable scorer and champion, but not on the level of the top players on this list.
Marcio Lassiter – One of the best shooters in PBA history, a crucial part of the San Miguel dynasty.
Chris Ross – One of the best defensive guards in PBA history, multiple-time champion, Finals MVP, but overshadowed by bigger stars.
Calvin Abueva – Controversial but undeniably talented, Best Player of the Conference winner, and one of the most dynamic players in the PBA.
Peter June Simon – One of the best sixth men in PBA history, a consistent scorer, and a valuable piece of the Purefoods franchise.
Special mention:
Manny Victorino – A solid big man, key role player in the 80s and 90s, but not an all-time great.
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