Ramon Fernandez
PBA 50 Greatest Players
Player Profile Series: The Great “El Presidente” Ramon Fernandez
In the continuation of our Profile Series, we shine the spotlight on the first-ever four-time Most Valuable Player in the Philippine Basketball Association — and arguably the league’s greatest of all time — the legendary “El Presidente,” Ramon Fernandez.
Known for his elegant hook shot and unparalleled court vision, Fernandez took the league by storm with MVP wins in 1982, 1984, 1986, and 1988. Beyond individual accolades, he secured 19 championship titles in an illustrious career that spanned two decades.
Born on October 3, 1953, in Maasin, Leyte, Fernandez stood 6-foot-4 and played the center/forward position, but his game defied traditional roles. With the ball-handling of a guard and the mind of a tactician, he was the prototype of the modern big man — long before the game evolved to demand it.
Name: Ramon Fernandez
Nickname: Mon
Birthdate: October 3, 1953
Hometown: Maasin, Leyte
Moniker: El Presidente, Don Ramon
Jersey No’s: 10/19
Don Ramon’s teams
As a player:
1972 - San Miguel Corporation Braves
1973–1984 - Toyota
1984–1985 - Beer Hausen/Manila Beer
1985–1987 - Tanduay Rhum Makers
1988 - Purefoods Hotdogs
1988–1994 - San Miguel Beermen
As a coach:
1988 - Purefoods Hotdogs
Achievements:
- 19× PBA champion (1975 First, 1975 Second, 1977 Invitational, 1978 All-Filipino, 1978 Invitational, 1979 Invitational, 1981 Open, 1982 Reinforced Filipino, 1982 Open, 1986 Reinforced, 1986 All-Filipino, 1987 Open, 1988 Reinforced, 1989 Open, 1989 All-Filipino, 1989 Reinforced, 1992 All-Filipino, 1993 Governors', 1994 All-Filipino)
- 5× PBA All-Star (1989, 1990, 1991, 1993, 1994)
- 4× PBA Most Valuable Player (1982, 1984, 1986, 1988)
- 13× PBA Mythical First Team (1976–1982, 1984, 1986, 1988, 1989, 1991, 1992)
- 3× PBA Mythical Second Team (1985, 1987, 1990)
- 2× PBA scoring champion (1983–1984)
- PBA All-Time Scoring Leader
- 50 Greatest Players in PBA History (2000 selection)
- PBA Hall of Fame Class of 2005
- No. 19 retired by the San Miguel Beermen
International stints:
FIBA Asia Under-18 Championship
- Gold medal – first place (1972 Manila)
FIBA Asia Championship
- Gold medal – first place (1973 Manila)
Asian Games
- Silver medal – second place (1990 Beijing)
Fernandez began his basketball journey at the University of San Carlos in Cebu. In 1972, he played for the San Miguel Braves in the Manila Industrial and Commercial Athletic Association (MICAA), then moved to the newly formed Komatsu Komets, who later became the iconic Toyota Comets.
By 1975, Toyota had joined the PBA as one of its nine founding teams, and Fernandez quickly became one of the league’s brightest stars. Alongside Robert Jaworski and Francis Arnáiz, he led Toyota to nine championships between 1975 and 1983. His 1982 MVP was earned during this era, solidifying his status as the team’s anchor.
After Toyota disbanded in 1984, Fernandez joined Beer Hausen and claimed his second MVP that same year. But the headlines weren’t just about basketball — his growing rift with former teammate Jaworski became one of the PBA’s most talked-about rivalries. Still, Fernandez continued to shine on the court, even though his team never made it to the top.
A midseason trade in 1985 sent him to Tanduay in exchange for another elite big man, Abet Guidaben. Teaming up with veterans and talented imports, Fernandez led Tanduay to three championships and secured his third MVP in 1986.
When Tanduay disbanded before the 1988 season, Purefoods acquired the franchise. Fernandez served briefly as a playing coach, guiding a young core that included Jerry Codiñera, Jojo Lastimosa, and Alvin Patrimonio. He led the team to the finals in the 1988 Open Conference but eventually handed off coaching duties mid-season. A controversial benching in the All-Filipino Finals that year led to a blockbuster trade — Fernandez to San Miguel, in exchange once again for Guidaben.
With San Miguel, Fernandez found the perfect ending chapter to his career. He won the 1988 Reinforced Conference, earned his fourth MVP, and played a key role in the Beermen’s historic 1989 Grand Slam. That same year, in the All-Star Game, he and Jaworski finally buried the hatchet with a handshake at center court — a moment orchestrated by coach Baby Dalupan that symbolized closure and mutual respect.
Fernandez continued to represent the country on the international stage, including the 1990 Asian Games where the Philippines claimed silver. He retired in 1994, still a statistical juggernaut:
- Most points: 18,996
- Most rebounds: 8,652
- Most blocks: 1,853
- Most minutes played: 36,624
- Second in assists: 5,220
- Second in games played: over 1,070
He came just five assists shy of averaging a triple-double in the 1984 season.
His career averages — 17.7 points, 8.1 rebounds, 4.9 assists, 1.2 steals, and 1.7 blocks per game — speak volumes about his versatility.
Ramon Fernandez wasn’t just a statistical marvel. He was a cerebral giant, a team-first superstar, and a player who turned every franchise he touched into a contender. For many, he remains the standard by which greatness in Philippine basketball is measured.
“El Presidente” wasn’t just a nickname. It was a title he earned — through elegance, excellence, and an enduring legacy.
News
In a show of unity and commitment, the Philippine Olympic Committee (POC), Philippine Sports Commission (PSC), and the Office of the Chef de Mission (CDM) came together for a Coordination Meeting of the Task Force for the 33rd Southeast Asian Games, set to take place in Thailand next year.
The meeting, attended by POC Secretary General Atty. Wharton R. Chan, PSC Executive Director Atty. Guillermo B. Iroy Jr., and Chef de Mission Dr. Jose Raul Canlas, underscored the country’s collective effort to ensure smooth preparation and strong representation in the regional meet.
According to the POC, the session aimed to strengthen coordination among key sports bodies and address logistical, administrative, and performance-related plans for the Filipino athletes bound for the 2025 SEA Games.
“This coordination is essential to ensure that our athletes get the support and structure they need to perform at their best,” said Dr. Canlas.
With a spirit of “Strength in Unity,” the collaboration signals a unified front for Team Philippines — as the nation’s top sports leaders rally behind the athletes set to bring pride and glory to the country in Thailand.
The Philippine volleyball community is mourning the loss of Ike Andrew Barilea, a rising star from Alas Pilipinas Men, who passed away as announced by the national team on Tuesday. He had just celebrated his 21st birthday two days ago.
The team did not disclose the cause of his death but shared a heartfelt message on Facebook, paying tribute to the young and passionate spiker whose energy and dedication left a lasting mark on the program.
“The court feels emptier, and our hearts heavier. Rest easy, ALAS IKE BARILEA. Thank you for the laughter, the memories, and the heart you gave to the team. Heaven gained an angel, but we lost a piece of ours. Fly high, our dear ALAS,” the statement read.
Barilea, a proud son of the Visayas, was part of the Alas Men’s training pool for the upcoming 2025 FIVB Volleyball Men’s World Championship under coach Angiolino Frigoni.
He also suited up for Alas Pilipinas-Cignal in the 2025 AVC Men’s Volleyball Champions League, and played for 1 Silay Volleyball Club in the PNVF U21 National Volleyball Championships.
Known for his enthusiasm, humility, and love for the sport, Barilea was seen as one of the promising young athletes in Philippine volleyball — a talent gone too soon, but whose spirit will continue to inspire teammates and fans alike.
Gilas Pilipinas head coach Tim Cone is hoping to have naturalized player Justin Brownlee back in action in time for the start of the team’s training camp next week as preparations ramp up for the 2027 FIBA World Cup Asian Qualifiers.
The national team will begin camp on November 17 at the Inspire Sports Academy, aiming to build chemistry and conditioning ahead of the first window of the qualifiers, which begins on November 28.
Cone expressed optimism that the team will be complete by then, including Brownlee, who has been “missing in action” recently amid reports of pneumonia, causing him to miss Meralco’s recent East Asia Super League games.
Neither Brownlee nor the Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas (SBP) has issued an official statement regarding his condition.
Despite this, Cone remains focused on ensuring Gilas is fully prepared before facing Guam on November 28 at the Calvo Field House in Guam, followed by a rematch on December 1 at the Blue Eagle Gym in Ateneo.
Meanwhile, Kai Sotto will remain sidelined as he continues rehabilitation from an ACL injury earlier this year. His spot in the lineup will be filled by Quentin Milora-Brown, who has been cleared by FIBA to play as a local.
“We just want to get going and make sure everyone’s ready,” Cone said, emphasizing the importance of starting camp strong to maintain Gilas’ momentum heading into the qualifiers.
The International Olympic Committee (IOC) is moving closer to enforcing a complete ban on transgender women competing in female events, signaling a major shift in Olympic policy.
Under the leadership of newly elected IOC president Kirsty Coventry, the organization aims to establish a unified global framework to “protect the integrity of the female category” across all sports. A move that could take effect within the next six to twelve months, in time for the 2028 Los Angeles Olympic Games.
Previously, individual federations were allowed to set their own inclusion rules, but Coventry is pushing for consistency, citing scientific reviews highlighting the long-term physical advantages of being born male.
The potential policy is also expected to align with the stance of U.S. President Donald Trump, who earlier signed an executive order barring transgender women from competing in female sports.
However, the IOC continues to face internal debate over how to handle athletes with differences in sexual development (DSD), those reported female at birth but with male chromosomes and elevated testosterone levels.
The Meralco Bolts aim to sustain their early momentum and secure a second consecutive win as they take on the visiting Macau Black Bears in the continuation of the 2025 East Asia Super League (EASL) this Sunday at the Cebu Coliseum.
Fresh off their 85-76 triumph over the Taoyuan Pilots in Ilagan, Isabela, the Bolts are brimming with confidence as they return to action—this time in front of Cebuano fans eager to witness top-tier regional basketball.
The matchup will also serve as the season debut for the Macau Black Bears, who are looking to make a strong first impression against a Meralco squad that has shown early signs of cohesion under coach Nenad Vucinic and deputy Luigi Trillo.
Adding depth to Meralco’s roster are their reliable imports Rondae Hollis-Jefferson and Ismael Romero, alongside naturalized player Ange Kouame and Asian import Sina Vahedi of Iran. Their chemistry will be key as they look to impose their pace and defensive discipline against the dynamic, fast-paced style of the Black Bears.
Beyond the competition, the Cebu showdown will also carry a deeper purpose, as the EASL announced that all ticket proceeds will be donated to victims of Typhoon Tino, which recently struck parts of Cebu and nearby provinces.
With pride, purpose, and playoff positioning at stake, Meralco will try to electrify once more—this time, in the Queen City of the South.
