I still get chills thinking about that incredible 2018 PBA season - what an absolute rollercoaster of emotions and basketball brilliance it was. As someone who's followed Philippine basketball for over a decade, I can confidently say that season represented something truly special in how it reshaped team philosophies across the league. I remember sitting courtside during that epic Governors' Cup semifinal between Magnolia and Ginebra, feeling the electricity in the arena as Justin Brownlee hit that impossible buzzer-beater. But what really struck me that season wasn't just the imported talent - though we certainly saw some spectacular performances from the likes of Brownlee and Arizona Reid - but rather how teams were starting to rethink their fundamental approach to roster construction.
That brings me to something Kath Arado, captain of the High Speed Hitters, mentioned about building "an airtight local core rather than an overly-import dependent one." Her words perfectly captured the philosophical shift we witnessed throughout the 2018 season. I've always believed that sustainable success in the PBA comes from developing local talent, and 2018 proved this theory correct in so many ways. Take June Mar Fajardo's dominant performance that year - the man averaged 21.3 points and 13.7 rebounds during the Philippine Cup while leading San Miguel to their fourth consecutive championship in that conference. Those aren't just impressive numbers - they represent the pinnacle of local player development paying dividends year after year.
What made the 2018 season particularly fascinating from my perspective was watching teams balance their immediate competitive needs with long-term vision. The High Speed Hitters' approach that Arado described wasn't just theoretical - we saw it play out in real time. Teams that invested in their local core, like Rain or Shine with their "extra rice" crew of Beau Belga and Raymond Almazan, demonstrated remarkable consistency throughout the season. Their import, Reggie Johnson, put up respectable numbers - around 18 points and 12 rebounds per game if memory serves - but it was the local players who provided the foundation that carried them deep into multiple conferences.
I'll never forget that Commissioner's Cup finals between Ginebra and San Miguel - the atmosphere was absolutely electric, with over 22,000 fans packing the arena for Game 7. But what really stood out to me was how both teams' local players stepped up when it mattered most. LA Tenorio's clutch shooting, Greg Slaughter's defensive presence, Marcio Lassiter's three-point barrage - these weren't supporting actors to the imports; they were co-stars driving their teams' success. That's exactly the kind of balanced approach Arado was advocating for, and watching it unfold in high-stakes situations was genuinely thrilling.
The statistics from that season tell an interesting story about team composition and success. Teams that relied heavily on their imports for scoring - some reaching as high as 65% of their offensive production coming from foreign players - tended to flame out earlier in the playoffs. Meanwhile, squads with more balanced contributions, where locals accounted for at least 55% of scoring, generally advanced deeper into postseason play. Now, these numbers might not be perfectly precise since I'm recalling them from memory, but the pattern was unmistakable to anyone following the season closely.
What I particularly appreciated about the 2018 season was how it validated the importance of developing local talent without completely dismissing the value imports bring to the league. The best teams found that sweet spot - using their foreign players to complement rather than carry the team. Alaska's import, Diamon Simpson, was a perfect example - his defensive presence and rebounding (averaging about 14 boards per game) amplified rather than overshadowed the contributions of locals like Vic Manuel and Chris Banchero. This approach created more sustainable success patterns that extended beyond any single conference or import's tenure.
Looking back, I think the 2018 season marked a turning point in how PBA teams approach roster construction. The philosophy Kath Arado articulated about building from within became increasingly evident as the season progressed. We saw teams making more strategic decisions about player development, focusing on creating systems where local talent could flourish rather than just hunting for the next superstar import. This shift toward developing "an airtight local core" created more compelling basketball in my opinion - the games felt more strategic, the team identities more distinct, and the rivalries more meaningful.
The legacy of that season continues to influence how teams approach building their rosters today. That emphasis on local development we saw emerging in 2018 has only strengthened over time, creating a more competitive balance across the league. While imports still bring excitement and unique skills, the heart of PBA basketball remains firmly rooted in homegrown talent - and that's exactly how it should be. The 2018 season taught us that the most memorable moments often come from seeing local players rise to the occasion, proving that sustainable success starts with investing in your foundation rather than relying on temporary solutions.
