Player Profile Series: Philip Cezar – The PBA's Tapal King
As we continue our Player Profile Series featuring former PBA Most Valuable Players, let’s take a closer look at the storied career of Philip Cezar—widely regarded as the league’s “Tapal King.”
Cezar began his PBA journey in the league’s inaugural season in 1975, suiting up for the iconic Crispa Redmanizers. He stayed with the team until it disbanded in 1984. After his Crispa years, he went on to play for Shell (1985–1986), Great Taste/Presto (1987–1988), and eventually wrapped up his 17-season career with Añejo/Ginebra (1989–1991).
Over nearly two decades in Asia’s pioneering professional basketball league, Cezar compiled career averages of 13.16 points, 6.36 rebounds, 3.41 assists, 0.65 steals, and 1.49 blocks per game. Along with those solid numbers came 15 PBA championships, highlighted by two Grand Slams in 1976 and 1983.
Standing at 6’3”, Cezar wasn’t the tallest big man on the floor—but he more than made up for it with his elite shot-blocking instincts, high basketball IQ, and natural leadership. His trademark “umbrella defense,” where he used both arms to disrupt and alter shots, became one of the most iconic defensive moves in league history.
Cezar’s individual accolades include seven Mythical First Team selections, two Mythical Second Team nods, and four All-Defensive Team honors. In 2000, he was named one of the PBA’s 25 Greatest Players—a list later expanded into the PBA’s 50 Greatest. He was also inducted into the PBA Hall of Fame, cementing his legacy as one of the game’s all-time greats.
After hanging up his sneakers, Cezar transitioned to coaching, winning a championship in 1997 as an assistant coach with Ginebra. He later added two more titles as head coach in the now-defunct Metropolitan Basketball Association (MBA) in 2000 and 2001.
Cezar also represented the country internationally, playing for the RP Youth Team in 1972 and competing in the 1974 Asian Games in Tehran.
Outside of basketball, the “Tapal King” also served in public office, holding the position of vice mayor of San Juan from 1992 to 2001.
Name: Philip Cezar
Birthdate: December 1, 1952
Hometown: Santa Cruz, Manila, Philippines
Moniker: The Tapal King
Jersey number: 18
PBA championships: 15
Amateur Career:
- College: Jose Rizal College (now Jose Rizal University)
Notable Achievements:
- NCAA Champion (1972)
- NCAA Most Valuable Player (1972)
- MICAA Champion with Crispa Floro Redmanizers (1974)
Professional Career
- PBA Debut: 1975 (Crispa Redmanizers)
- Retired: 1991 (Ginebra San Miguel)
Teams:
- 1974–75: Crispa Floro Redmanizers (MICAA)
- 1975–1984: Crispa Redmanizers (PBA)
- 1985–1986: Shell Helix Oilers
- 1987–1988: Great Taste/Presto
- 1989–1991: Añejo Rhum/Ginebra San Miguel
PBA Career Stats:
- 13.16 PPG • 6.36 RPG • 3.41 APG • 0.65 SPG • 1.49 BPG
Championships:
- 15x PBA Champion
- Including two Grand Slams (1976, 1983)
Individual Awards & Milestones:
1980 PBA Most Valuable Player
7× PBA Mythical First Team (1976, 1978–1981, 1983, 1987)
2× PBA Mythical Second Team (1984, 1985)
4× PBA All-Defensive Team (1985–1988)
Member: 5,000 & 10,000 points clubs
Member: 1,000 offensive rebounds club
Member: 2,000 defensive rebounds club
Member: 2,000 assists club
Member: 900 & 1,000 shot blocks clubs
Member: 500 steals club
PBA All-Star
PBA Hall of Fame Inductee
Named to the PBA’s 25 Greatest Players list (2000)
National Team:
- 1972 RP Youth Team
- 1974 Asian Games in Tehran
Coaching Career:
- 1992–1998: Assistant Coach, Barangay Ginebra San Miguel
- 1999–2001: Head Coach, San Juan Knights (MBA) — 2× MBA Champion
- 2018–2019: Head Coach, Manila Stars (MPBL)
Beyond the Hardwood
- After his basketball career, Cezar also served in public office as Vice Mayor of San Juan from 1992 to 2001—proving that his leadership extended far beyond the basketball court.
Similar news
The East Asia Super League (EASL) is officially set to raise the curtain on its new season with a twin opening in Taipei and Tokyo on October 8, 2025 — a move that reflects the league’s expanding reach and growing stature as Asia’s premier basketball competition.
All eyes in Taiwan will be on the Taipei Heping Basketball Gymnasium, which will host a blockbuster doubleheader featuring some of the region’s most decorated clubs.
The action tips off with a clash between the B.LEAGUE champions Utsunomiya Brex and the P. LEAGUE+ runners-up Taipei Fubon Braves. Utsunomiya, led by veteran guard Makoto Hiejima, entered as one of Japan’s most successful franchises. The Braves, meanwhile, look to prove their resilience after falling short in a grueling seven-game finals series last season, banking on the leadership of Chinese Taipei legend Lin Chih-Chieh.
The second game of the night brings a rematch between the P. LEAGUE+ champions Taoyuan Pauian Pilots and Japan’s Ryukyu Golden Kings. Their last encounter came in the 2025 EASL Final Four semifinals, where Taoyuan stunned Ryukyu, 71–64. This time, the Golden Kings are eager for redemption, while the Pilots hope to reaffirm their place among Asia’s elite.
Game schedule (HKT):
- Utsunomiya vs. Taipei Fubon – 6:30 PM
- Taoyuan vs. Ryukyu – 8:30 PM
China came within a single basket of toppling Oceania powerhouse Australia in the FIBA Asia Cup final, bowing 90-89 in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, but sending a clear message that it remains a force in Asian basketball.
The Chinese squad, bannered by Hu Mingxuan and Hu Jinqiu, led by as many as 15 points through three quarters before faltering in the final minutes against the defending champions. Despite the heartbreaking loss, the performance was a reminder of China’s proud basketball heritage and its potential return to continental supremacy.
Gilas Pilipinas advanced to the 2025 FIBA Asia Cup quarterfinals after triumphing over host nation Saudi Arabia in a tense 95-88 overtime victory on Monday, August 11 (Tuesday, August 12 in Manila) at King Abdullah Sports City in Jeddah.
Justin Brownlee once again showed his ‘Never Say Die’ attitude after drilling a contested three-pointer with 3.7 seconds left to force the extra period. He went on to finish with 29 points, five assists, and four rebounds, paving the way for a quarterfinal showdown with two-time defending champion Australia on Wednesday, August 13.
Brownlee’s heroics set the stage for Kevin Quiambao, who buried two triples in OT to complete a 17-point performance alongside three dimes and three deflections.
"It was a special game, it was a special performance from both teams," said head coach Tim Cone. "They (Saudi Arabia) posed a lot of problems for us, and by all rights, they had the game won — except for the guy sitting to my right (Brownlee). If you know his history, that’s not unusual. He’s been hitting big shots."
AJ Edu anchored the middle with 17 points, 11 rebounds, and four assists, while Dwight Ramos chipped in 13 markers, 10 boards, three dimes, and a rejection.
Beyond Brownlee’s late-game magic, the Philippines secured the win by neutralizing Saudi Arabia’s high-scoring duo of Muhammad-Ali Abdur-Rahkman and Mohammed Alsuwailem in the extra frame.
Abdur-Rahkman erupted for 33 points on 8-of-14 shooting from deep, while Alsuwailem tallied 26 points, 14 rebounds, and three blocks — but the two combined for only five points in OT as Gilas closed the door on the hosts’ upset bid.
The Scores:
Philippines 95 – Brownlee 29, Edu 17, Quiambao 17, Ramos 13, Fajardo 6, Tamayo 5, Thompson 4, Newsome 4, Malonzo 0, Perez 0, Aguilar 0.
Saudi Arabia 88 – Abdur-Rahkman 33, Alsuwailem 26, Almuwallad 10, Abdel Gabar 8, Ma. Almarwani 4, Belal 3, Kadi 3, Mo. Almarwani 1, Shubayli 0.
Quarters: 25-15, 40-37, 60-59, 79-79 (reg.), 95-88 (OT).