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.

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.

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