As I look back on the PBA 2018 season, what strikes me most isn't just the championship outcomes or individual performances, but the underlying strategic shifts that would reshape Philippine basketball for years to come. Having followed the league for over a decade, I've noticed how team philosophies evolve, and 2018 marked a particularly fascinating turning point in how franchises approached roster construction and long-term planning. The season wasn't just about who won the championships—it was about how teams were thinking about sustainability, much like what Kath Arado articulated about building "an airtight local core rather than an overly-import dependent one."
The 2018 season kicked off with the Philippine Cup, where San Miguel Beerman continued their dominance by securing their fourth consecutive all-Filipino championship. What impressed me wasn't just their talent—which was undeniable—but their incredible chemistry. June Mar Fajardo put up staggering numbers, averaging 21.8 points and 13.2 rebounds throughout the conference, but what made San Miguel special was how their local players complemented each other perfectly. Watching them play, I realized this was exactly the kind of airtight local core that other teams should aspire to build. Their import strategy in later conferences felt almost like an afterthought because their Filipino players were so well-developed and cohesive.
When the Commissioner's Cup rolled around, we saw Barangay Ginebra capture the title with Justin Brownlee, but what fascinated me was how coach Tim Cone managed to integrate imports without sacrificing local development. Ginebra's local players—LA Tenorio, Scottie Thompson, Japeth Aguilar—weren't just supporting cast; they were genuine game-changers who could take over when needed. I remember specifically the game where Thompson recorded a triple-double while Brownlee had an off-night—that's the balance every team should strive for. Too many PBA teams fall into the trap of letting imports dominate possession, essentially turning local players into spectators, but Ginebra demonstrated how to avoid that pitfall.
The Governors' Cup brought another championship for Magnolia, but what stood out to me was how their defensive system elevated their entire roster. Coach Chito Victolero implemented schemes that maximized local talents like Paul Lee and Ian Sangalang, making them just as crucial as import Romeo Travis. Their defensive rating of 98.3 points per 100 possessions was the best in the conference, and what made it remarkable was how their local players executed complex defensive rotations that didn't rely on import bailouts. This approach reminded me of what separates good teams from great ones—systems that empower local talent rather than just supplementing it with imports.
Throughout the season, I kept noticing teams that struggled were often those overly dependent on their imports. GlobalPort, for instance, relied so heavily on Stanley Pringle and their imports that when either had an off-game, the entire system collapsed. They finished with a disappointing 15-18 record across all conferences, and watching them play, I felt their lack of local depth was glaring. Contrast that with Rain or Shine, who despite not winning a championship, built such a deep local rotation that they remained competitive even when their imports underperformed. Coach Caloy Garcia developed players like James Yap, Beau Belga, and Raymond Almazan into a cohesive unit that could adapt to different import styles rather than depending on them.
The 2018 season also gave us breakout performances from local players who would become franchise cornerstones. CJ Perez's rookie year with Columbian Dyip was nothing short of spectacular—he averaged 20.8 points, 7.3 rebounds, and 3.5 assists, winning Rookie of the Year honors. What made his performance special was how he carried a franchise that had minimal import contribution compared to other teams. Watching Perez develop that season convinced me that investing in local talent development pays greater dividends than constantly cycling through imports. Teams that prioritized local player growth, like Alaska with Vic Manuel and Abu Tratter, showed more consistent improvement throughout the season than those constantly searching for the "perfect" import.
Reflecting on the season's statistical landscape reveals interesting patterns about team construction. The top four teams in terms of local player minutes—San Miguel, Ginebra, Magnolia, and TNT—all made deep playoff runs across multiple conferences. Meanwhile, teams in the bottom four of local player minutes—Blackwater, Columbian, NLEX, and GlobalPort—largely struggled to maintain consistency. The correlation isn't perfect, but in my observation, teams that trusted their local players more tended to develop better chemistry and adaptability. When imports inevitably struggle or get injured, teams with strong local cores can adjust, while import-dependent teams often collapse.
What 2018 taught me about PBA team building is that the most successful franchises think beyond immediate results. They're playing the long game, much like Kath Arado's vision for the High Speed Hitters. The teams that invested in local player development, implemented systems that maximized Filipino talents, and used imports to complement rather than carry their roster showed the most sustainable success. As a basketball analyst, I've come to believe this approach not only produces better teams but also benefits Philippine basketball overall by developing homegrown talents who can compete internationally.
The legacy of the 2018 season extends beyond the championship trophies. It demonstrated that in a league where imports come and go, the teams that build from within create lasting success. Watching how different franchises approached this balance between local development and import integration gave me new appreciation for front office strategies that prioritize long-term vision over short-term fixes. The most memorable moments weren't just the game-winning shots or championship celebrations, but the subtle developments of local players growing into larger roles and teams discovering identities beyond their imports.
