Player Profile Series: Abet Guidaben – PBA Legend, 2 Slams
As we continue our Player Profile Series, we shine the spotlight on one of the most quietly dominant figures in Philippine basketball history — Alberto “Abet” Guidaben.
Standing at 6-foot-5 and hailing from Mambajao, Camiguin, Guidaben carved out a legendary career that spanned two decades. Born on September 14, 1952, he would go on to become a 16-time PBA champion, two-time MVP (1983 and 1987), and one of the league’s most consistent frontcourt forces during its golden era.
A product of the Agoho Pirates and the University of San Jose–Recoletos, Guidaben’s rise began with the Crispa squad in the MICAA in 1973. A year later, he represented the Philippines at the 1974 Asian Games in Tehran, playing alongside legends like Robert Jaworski.
When the PBA launched in 1975, Guidaben was part of the storied Crispa Redmanizers, initially playing behind stars like Philip Cezar, Atoy Co, and Bogs Adornado. But over time, he emerged from the shadows — transforming from a reliable rebounder into one of the most skilled and versatile big men in the league.
Known for his smooth footwork, soft perimeter touch, and signature off-the-glass jumpers, Guidaben also brought an early form of athleticism to the PBA — even dunking during an era when it was rarely seen. He was a vital contributor to Crispa’s Grand Slam seasons in 1976 and 1983, with the latter also earning him his first MVP award.
As he matured into a franchise centerpiece, Guidaben’s rivalry with fellow big man Ramon Fernandez became one of the most iconic in league history. Their careers were so closely intertwined that they were traded for each other twice — first in 1985, between Tanduay and Manila Beer, and again in 1988, when Purefoods acquired Fernandez from San Miguel in exchange for Guidaben.
Over the course of his 20-year PBA career, Guidaben amassed accolades that include five Mythical Team selections, three All-Star appearances, recognition as one of the PBA’s 50 Greatest Players in 2000, and induction into the PBA Hall of Fame in 2007.
But even after basketball, Guidaben's story of perseverance continued off the court.
In 2010, he was diagnosed with Myasthenia Gravis, a serious neuromuscular illness that forced him into the ICU for eight days. Through steroid treatment, he survived the life-threatening condition. Just two years later, in 2012, he suffered two strokes within one week and was diagnosed with meningitis, once again requiring intensive care.
Despite these terrifying health scares, Guidaben fought his way back — showing the same quiet resilience that defined his playing days.
Alberto Guidaben didn’t just overcome opponents on the hardwood — he overcame life’s biggest challenges with the same calm strength and steady determination.
He didn’t need the spotlight to be great. He simply was.
Name: Alberto Guidaben
Nickname: September 14, 1952
Hometown: Mambajao, Camiguin
Height: 6’5”
College: USJ–R
Position: Center /Power Forward
Jersey Number/s: 5, 32, 55, 41
Career history:
- 1973–1984 - Crispa Redmanizers
- 1985 - Tanduay Rhum Makers
- 1986 - Manila Beer Brewmasters
- 1987–1988 - San Miguel Beermen
- 1988 - Purefoods Hotdogs
- 1989 - Alaska Air Force
- 1990–1993 - Pepsi Hotshots/7-Up Uncolas
- 1994–1995 - Shell Rimula X
Career highlights
- 16× PBA champion (1975 All-Philippine, 1976 First, 1976 Second, 1976 All-Philippine, 1977 All-Filipino, 1977 Open, 1979 All-Filipino, 1980 All-Filipino, 1981 Reinforced Filipino, 1983 All-Filipino, 1983 Reinforced Filipino, 1983 Open, 1984 First All-Filipino, 1987 Reinforced, 1988 Open, 1988 Reinforced)
- 2× PBA Most Valuable Player (1983, 1987)
- 5× PBA Mythical First Team (1983-1985, 1987-1988)
- 3× PBA All-Star (1992, 1993, 1994)
- 50 Greatest Players in PBA History (2000 selection)
- PBA Hall of Fame Class of 2007
- Gold medal – first place - 1973 Manila Team, FIBA Asia Championship
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Barangay Ginebra San Miguel bounced back in style, securing a 2-1 lead in their best-of-seven PBA Season 49 Philippine Cup semifinals series with a 100-90 win over the San Miguel Beermen on Sunday, June 29, at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
RJ Abarrientos came up huge with a near triple-double performance—24 points, nine rebounds, and eight assists—leading the Gin Kings back on top after dropping Game 2.
Jamie Malonzo added 20 points with four rebounds and two assists, while Japeth Aguilar chipped in 18 markers alongside seven boards, two dimes, three steals, and two blocks in a vintage two-way showing.
Ginebra also got key contributions from Scottie Thompson and Stephen Holt. Thompson tallied 16 points, seven rebounds, five assists, two steals, and a block, while Holt recorded 10 points, seven boards, and a deflection.
For San Miguel, Don Trollano kept them in the fight with 22 points and three rebounds. JuneMar Fajardo posted a double-double with 12 points and a game-high 14 rebounds, along with three dimes and a block.
CJ Perez and Jericho Cruz added 11 points apiece, while Juami Tiongson rounded out the Beermen’s double-digit scorers with 10.
Ginebra edged SMB 23-20 in the opening quarter, but the Beermen fought back strong in the second to take a 50-46 halftime lead. That momentum didn't last, as Ginebra responded with a commanding 25-14 third period to retake control at 71-64, then sealed the win with a 29-26 finish in the final frame.
“I’m just real proud of the guys for steadying themselves,” said head coach Tim Cone. “We figured a couple of things out. I felt we played with a really good tempo, and then RJ played tremendous down the stretch to keep them at bay.”
Game 4 is set for Wednesday, July 2, at 5:00 PM at the Mall of Asia Arena.
The Rain or Shine Elasto Painters broke through in their best-of-seven semi-finals series in the PBA Season 49 Philippine Cup, taking Game 3 in dominant fashion with a 107-86 win over TNT Tropang 5G on Sunday, June 29, at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
Anton Asistio powered the Elasto Painters with a personal playoff-high 24 points off the bench. He also tallied six assists and a rebound in just under 29 minutes of action, going 7-of-9 from the field, 4-of-5 from three-point range, and 2-of-3 from the four-point arc.
Caelan Tiongson added 16 markers, four rebounds, one assist, and a block, while Keith Datu delivered a 13-point, 10-rebound double-double performance to go with two assists and a rejection.
Leonard Santillan contributed 12 points and eight rebounds, while Andrei Caracut chipped in 10 points, four assists, and four steals, helping Rain or Shine build early momentum and keep control through most of the game.
TNT, on the other hand, struggled without RR Pogoy, Jayson Castro, and Rey Nambatac. Calvin Oftana led the Tropa with 16 points and eight rebounds but registered a -22 plus-minus while shooting just 1-of-6 from deep. Simon Enciso and Glenn Khobuntin added 12 points each.
As widely projected, the Dallas Mavericks selected Cooper Flagg with the No. 1 overall pick in the 2025 NBA Draft — officially ushering in a new era for the franchise.
Flagg will give a new look at the Dallas franchise after the blockbuster trade that sent Luka Dončić to Los Angeles ahead of last season’s trade deadline. The Mavericks got a lot of backlash with that decision, but drafting Flagg—a highly touted prospect out of Duke—offers hope that brighter days are ahead.
The 18-year-old forward will join a retooled Mavericks roster that’s poised to compete right away. He’ll be joined by Anthony Davis, one of the league’s top two-way bigs, and Kyrie Irving, who just inked a three-year extension with the team. Klay Thompson also remains in the fold, bringing his signature shooting and veteran leadership.
Key rotation pieces like Dereck Lively II, Daniel Gafford, and P.J. Washington is all expected to return healthy and ready to contribute. Meanwhile, Dallas is reportedly the frontrunner to sign D’Angelo Russell in free agency — a potential offensive boost while Irving works his way back from a season-ending injury suffered in the 2024 playoffs.
Flagg won’t just have talent around him — he’ll also have guidance. He’s set to be coached by Jason Kidd, one of the greatest point guards to ever play the game, now tasked with shaping Flagg into the league’s next franchise superstar.
Draft night got even sweeter for Flagg when two of his Duke teammates also landed in the Top 10. Kon Knueppel went 4th overall to the Charlotte Hornets, while Khaman Maluach was taken 10th by the Phoenix Suns — making it a landmark night for the Blue Devils program.