Alvin Patrimonio
PBA 50 Greatest Players
Player Profile Series: “The Captain” Alvin Patrimonio’s lion heart
Another four-time PBA Most Valuable Player takes the spotlight in our series.
Alvin “The Captain” Patrimonio captured the league’s highest individual honor in 1991, 1993, 1994, and 1997—becoming only the second player to achieve the feat after “El Presidente” Ramon Fernandez, who won it in 1982, 1984, 1986, and 1988.
Patrimonio played his entire 17-year career with just one franchise in the Philippine Basketball Association (PBA), staying loyal from 1988 to 2004. He became the face of the Purefoods/Magnolia franchise throughout those years, eventually passing the torch to his successors upon retirement.
Name: Alvin Patrimonio
Moniker: The Captain
Birthdate: November 17, 1966
Height: 6’3”
Position: Power Forward
Jersey Number: 16
Career Information:
College: Mapúa
PBA draft: 1988 (direct hire), Selected by the Purefoods Hotdogs
Career history
As a player:
1988–2004 - Purefoods
As a coach:
2015 - UST (assistant)
2016–2017 NU (assistant)
Career highlights
As player:
6x PBA champion (1990 Third, 1991 All-Filipino, 1993 All-Filipino, 1994 Commissioner's, 1997 All-Filipino, 2002 Governors')
4x PBA Most Valuable Player (1991, 1993, 1994, 1997)
10x PBA Mythical First Team (1989–1994, 1996–1998, 2000)
PBA Mythical Second Team (1995)
3x PBA Best Player of the Conference (1994 Commissioner's Cup, 1996 All-Filipino Cup, 1997 Governors' Cup)
PBA Press Corps Newsmaker of the Year (1993)
PBA All-Star Game Most Valuable Player (1991)
12× PBA All-Star (1989, 1990, 1991, 1992, 1993, 1995, 1996, 1997, 1998, 1999, 2000, 2001)
50 Greatest Players in PBA History (2000 selection)
3× PBA Scoring Champion (1992–1993, 1998)
No. 16 retired by Magnolia Hotshots
2x NCAA Philippines Most Valuable Player (1985, 1986)
3x PABL champion (1986 Filipino, 1987 Freedom, 1988 International Invitational)
As executive:
8x PBA champion (2006 Philippine, 2009–10 Philippine, 2012 Commissioner's, 2013 Governors', 2013–14 Philippine, 2014 Commissioner's, 2014 Governors', 2018 Governors')
Grand Slam champion (2013–14)
Medals (Men's basketball Representing Philippines)
Asian Games:
Bronze medal – third place 1986 Seoul Team competition
Silver medal – second place 1990 Beijing Team competition
Bronze medal – third place 1998 Bangkok Team competition
Beyond the MVP accolades, "The Captain" amassed an impressive collection of achievements: six PBA championships, 10 Mythical First Team selections, one Mythical Second Team nod, and three Best Player of the Conference awards.
Known for his lion heart every time he stepped on the hardwood, Patrimonio was also a 12-time PBA All-Star, winning MVP honors in the 1995 All-Star Game. He was a three-time scoring champion and was named the PBA Press Corps’ Newsmaker of the Year. In honor of his contributions, the franchise retired his jersey number 16.
His final season was filled with emotional farewell tributes, not only from his team but from opposing squads as well—gestures that deeply moved the humble and grateful athlete.
Post-retirement, Patrimonio continued to serve the game as the team manager of the Hotshots, adding eight more PBA titles to his name. This includes a rare four-peat and a Grand Slam during the San Mig Coffee Mixers era.
All in all, he boasts 14 PBA championships—as a player and executive combined—and was part of the PBA's 25 Greatest Players list in 2000.
Patrimonio held several long-standing records, including most consecutive games played at 596—an ironman feat later surpassed by LA Tenorio, whom Alvin warmly congratulated. He ranks third all-time in scoring with 15,091 points and fourth in total rebounds, collecting over 6,000 boards. He is also the second player, after Bogs Adornado, to win back-to-back MVPs (1993–1994), and only the second to claim three Best Player of the Conference awards, following Vergel Meneses.
Internationally, Patrimonio represented the country in several Asian Games alongside fellow legend Allan Caidic. He was part of the bronze medal-winning 1986 team in Seoul and the silver medal-winning 1990 team in Beijing. He also contributed to the 1998 Centennial Team that bagged a bronze medal in Bangkok.
Despite standing just 6’3”, Patrimonio played much bigger than his height—anchored by grit, heart, and discipline. But beyond the numbers, what truly endeared him to fans was his humility and approachability. During his prime, he was known to stay until the last autograph was signed.
Patrimonio is one of the most respected figures in Philippine basketball, loved by fans, admired by teammates, and respected by rivals. Often regarded as the second most popular player in PBA history—next only to "The Living Legend" Robert Jaworski—he also had brief stints in acting during the earlier part of his career.
Off the court, Alvin is a devoted family man. Residing in Cainta, Rizal, he is married to Cindy and together they have four children: Angelo, Christine, Clarice, and Asher. A man of strong faith, he is known to have led his family closer to God and encouraged a life grounded in spiritual values.
The man with a lion’s heart on the court also has a soft, humble heart beyond it. And that’s what makes Alvin Patrimonio a true icon—then and now.
There are countless stories and achievements tied to his name—milestones that shaped not only his legacy but also Philippine basketball as a whole. And truth be told, they can’t all be told in just one sitting.
Alvin “The Captain” Patrimonio is more than just a PBA great—he’s a symbol of loyalty, passion, and excellence whose impact will be remembered for generations.
News
The Philippine Sports Commission (PSC) is pushing a landmark plan to open government-run golf courses to children aged 15 and below—completely free of charge.
Initiated by PSC chairman Patrick Gregorio, the proposal would give youth access to select courses, including Camp John Hay in Baguio and Intramuros Golf Club in Manila, starting at noon daily, seven days a week.
The plan, now with the Office of the President, awaits approval as President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. consults with golf industry stakeholders.
While some military-run courses may resist concerns about income and congestion, Gregorio believes the long-term benefits for grassroots golf outweigh the drawbacks. “If we want golf to grow, we have to let more Filipino kids touch a golf club—not just the ones who can afford it,” he said.
With golf’s high costs limiting access, the PSC hopes the initiative will spark broader participation, open doors to scholarships, and develop future champions from all backgrounds.
The Philippine women’s softball team—the Blu Girls—are eyeing nothing less than gold as they prepare to defend their title at the 33rd Southeast Asian Games this December in Thailand.
After softball’s two-edition absence from the SEA Games, head coach Ana Santiago said the team’s hunger for victory remains undiminished. “Nothing less than gold ang goal natin,” Santiago declared, recalling the Blu Girls’ last gold win at home in 2019.
A dominant force since 1979, the Blu Girls have collected 11 SEA Games golds and are returning as favorites. Team captain Charlotte Sales and power hitter Roma Cruz, both SEA Games debutantes, expressed confidence in the squad’s readiness, especially after a productive training camp in Taiwan.
“Malaking bagay ‘yung training camp namin. Nakatulong sa teamwork, communication, and ‘yung samahan,” Sales shared.
Cruz, who smashed five homers at the Asian Cup in China last July, is determined to prove herself on the SEA Games stage. “Gusto ko ipakita na kaya ko makipagsabayan,” she said.
While the Blu Girls topped Indonesia for gold in 2019, Santiago sees Singapore as this year’s biggest threat, citing their extensive preparations in Australia, Japan, and Taiwan.
The Philippines opens against Singapore on December 15, then faces Malaysia, Thailand, and Indonesia before the gold medal game on December 20.
Amateur Softball Association of the Philippines president John Henry Lhuillier’s marching order is clear: go for double gold in both women’s and men’s softball. “That’s the goal,” Santiago affirmed.
Cambodia has withdrawn from eight sports in the upcoming Southeast Asian Games in Thailand due to security concerns amid ongoing border tensions, an Olympic official confirmed last November 27.
The decision comes after intermittent military clashes between Cambodia and Thailand throughout the year, including a deadly July outbreak that left over 40 people dead.
Despite a US-brokered truce, diplomatic strains remain.
The National Olympic Committee of Cambodia (NOCC) informed the Southeast Asian Games Federation that it would skip events such as football, petanque, wrestling, judo, and karate, citing “significant security concerns” for its athletes and officials.
NOCC secretary-general Vath Chamroeun emphasized that the move was strictly about safety, reducing the delegation from 333 to 150 athletes competing in 13 sports.
The pullout is aimed at making monitoring easier amid heightened tensions over overlapping claims to ancient temples along the Cambodia-Thailand border.
The Philippines will field its largest-ever delegation for the 2025 Southeast Asian Games in Thailand, sending 1,600 athletes, coaches, and officials to compete in 50 sports at the biennial meet during the 33rd 2025 send-off at Rizal Memorial Coliseum held last November 28.
Philippine Sports Commission Chairman Patrick “Pato” Gregorio said the decision to send a record-sized team was rooted in prioritizing exposure and athlete development over immediate results
“When you send a delegation, they learn. When you send a big delegation, they gain confidence and experience,” Gregorio said. “We want our athletes’ mindset and skills to toughen up so they can compete at the Asian Games and the Olympics.”
The 2025 SEA Games will feature 574 medal events, three demonstration sports—air sports, flying disc, and tug of war—and MMA as a value-added sport.
Gregorio emphasized that investing in athletes’ experience now lays the groundwork for future success. “We’re giving our athletes the exposure they need to compete better in the future,” he said.
The Philippines will target podium finishes in medal-rich sports including basketball, esports, boxing, weightlifting, jiu-jitsu, and athletics when the SEA Games open on December 9.
In a heartfelt send-off, the senate committee on sports, Senator Bong Go, reminded the country’s national athletes of the immense pride and hope they bring as they head into international competitions.
“Always remember, you carry not just your name, but the spirit of every Filipino,” Go said. “When you win, the whole nation wins with you. No matter the result, you already carry the pride and admiration of the Filipino people.”
Reassuring the athletes of his unwavering support, the official added, “My office is always open for you. If you need anything—whether a solution or a problem—just come to my office.”
As the delegation prepared to embark on their journey, he encouraged them to fight with determination and honor the country. “Fight with all your heart. Bring home the bacon. The honor you bring to the country—you will carry it for the rest of your life. It is engraved in the history of the Philippines.”
He closed by urging the team to give their best, stay united, and make every Filipino proud: “Show the world how strong and united Filipinos can be.”
