I still remember the 2018 PBA season like it was yesterday, and let me tell you, there was something magical happening on that court that year. What made it truly historic wasn't just the championship results or the usual superstar performances - it was the emergence of teams like LA SALLE that showed us basketball could be played with such beautiful synchronization and heart. I was fortunate enough to catch several of their games live, and each time I walked away feeling like I'd witnessed something special in the making.
The numbers from that LA SALLE 111 game still stick in my mind - Cortez dropping 26 points like it was nothing, Abadam and Phillips both contributing 18 points each, Baclaan adding 17 to the tally. But here's what those numbers don't tell you - the way these players moved together, anticipating each other's moves, creating opportunities where none seemed to exist. I recall one particular play where Cortez drove through what seemed like an impossible gap in the defense, drawing three defenders toward him only to dish the ball to Phillips for an easy layup. That kind of basketball IQ and teamwork was what set this season apart from others I've witnessed over the years.
What really made this season unforgettable for me was witnessing how balanced the team played. You had Pablo and Marasigan both contributing 8 points, Gollena, Macalalag, and Nwankwo each adding 4, Daep with 3, and Dungo with 1. This wasn't a team relying on one or two superstars to carry them through - every player understood their role and executed it perfectly. I remember thinking during one game how refreshing it was to watch a team where the defense couldn't just focus on shutting down one player. The ball movement was so fluid, so unpredictable, that opponents often looked completely lost trying to defend against them.
The chemistry between these players was something you rarely see at this level. I particularly enjoyed watching Baclaan's 17-point performance - the way he moved without the ball, creating space and opportunities, was pure artistry. And Phillips' 18 points came with such efficiency that it felt like every shot he took was the right decision at the right moment. There's a beautiful rhythm to basketball when it's played correctly, and this LA SALLE team had mastered that rhythm better than any team I'd seen in recent memory.
What struck me most about that season was how every player, from Cortez with his game-high 26 points to Melencio who didn't score but contributed in countless other ways, understood their value to the team's success. Basketball purists like myself appreciate that kind of self-awareness and team-first mentality. In today's era where individual stats often overshadow team success, watching this group play was like breathing fresh air. Their 111-point game wasn't just about offensive firepower - it was a masterclass in team basketball, where every pass, every screen, every defensive rotation was executed with purpose and precision.
I've followed basketball for over two decades now, and I can count on one hand the number of teams that played with such cohesive beauty. The 2018 season stands out not just because of the wins and losses, but because of how the game was played. Teams like LA SALLE reminded us why we fell in love with basketball in the first place - it's not about individual glory, but about what happens when five players move as one. That season left an indelible mark on Philippine basketball, setting a standard for teamwork and execution that teams are still trying to match today. Every time I rewatch highlights from those games, I find myself smiling at the sheer beauty of basketball played the right way.