Nelson Asaytono headlines final 10 in PBA 50 Greatest list

The final 10 players added to the Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) 50 Greatest list were officially announced on Wednesday, April 2.

Nelson Asaytono, long expected to be part of earlier announcements for the Top 25 and Top 40 lists, has finally secured his place among the PBA’s greatest. He leads the latest batch of players included in this prestigious group.

Joining Asaytono in the final 10 are: Jeffrey Cariaso, Rene “Bong” Hawkins Jr., June Mar Fajardo, Abraham Columbus “Abe” King Jr., Daniel Charles “Danny” Seigle, Earl Scottie Thompson, Arnulfo “Arnie” Tuadles, Manuel “Manny” Victorino, and Elpidio “Yoyoy” Villamin.

The PBA first honored its 25 Greatest Players in 2000 as part of the league’s 25th anniversary. The inaugural list featured the following legends:

• William “Bogs” Adornado
• Freddie Hubalde
• Robert “Sonny” Jaworski Sr.
• Fortunato “Atoy” Co
• Philip Cezar
• Ramon Fernandez
• Alberto “Abet” Guidaben
• Ricardo Brown
• Allan Caidic
• Venancio “Benjie” Paras
• Alvin Patrimonio
• Renato “Ato” Agustin
• Vergel Meneses
• Johnny Abarrientos
• Kenneth Duremdes
• Francis Arnaiz
• Bernard “Bernie” Fabiosa
• Danilo “Danny” Florencio
• Lim Eng Beng
• Isabelo “Jojo” Lastimosa
• Avelino “Samboy” Lim
• Jerry Codiñera
• Manuel “Manny” Paner
• Ronnie Magsanoc
• Hector Calma

Then, in 2015, during the PBA’s 40th anniversary, 15 more inductees were added to complete the list of 40 Greatest Players. This batch included:

• Danilo “Danny” Ildefonso
• William “Willie” Miller
• James Carlos Yap
• Paul Asi Taulava
• Eric Conrad Menk
• Kelly Williams
• Anthony “Jayjay” Helterbrand
• Jimmy Alapag
• Mark Anthony Caguiao
• Arwind Santos
• Jayson Castro
• Jean Marc Pingris
• Kerby Raymundo
• Joaquin “Chito” Loyzaga
• Marlou Aquino

With the addition of the final 10, the PBA 50 Greatest Players list now stands as a comprehensive tribute to the league’s most influential figures, showcasing basketball talent across generations in the Philippines.