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.

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.

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)