The year 2025 was littered with stories of triumph and heartbreak for PBA players and fans alike.
The year saw the league celebrate its 50th founding anniversary, with games in Dubai and Bahrain to cater to Filipino fans overseas, as well as sending off one of the kindest human being to ever grace the PBA floor in Gabe Norwood.
[RELATED STORY: Yearender: Biggest stories in the PBA in Year 2024]
Here are some of the biggest headlines in the PBA this year.
Arvin Tolentino claims his first BPC
After his stint with the Barangay Ginebra Gin Kings, Arvin Tolentino was traded to the then NorthPort Batang Pier in 2022, consistently leading the team despite NorthPort having no luck until Season 49 Commissioner’s Cup.
With the Batang Pier finishing as the top seed, the team went full steam ahead to their semifinals, with Tolentino bagging his first Best Player of the Conference award.
Consequently, Tolentino became only the second Batang Pier to win the BPC after Christian Standhardinger.
But Tolentino's performance could not steer Northport past Ginebra in the semis. In a surprise move, the former FEU Tamaraw opted to take his talents to the Korean Basketball League in the middle of the ensuing Philippine Cup.
[ALSO READ: After receiving first PBA BPC award, NorthPort's Arvin Tolentino wants to be better]
Fortifying GOAT status
June Mar Fajardo reminded everyone of his dominance when he claimed his record-extending ninth Most Valuable Player award at the end Season 49.
The year also saw him become a member of the league’s 50 Greatest Players list.
[ALSO READ: Nine-time MVP June Mar Fajardo recalls almost giving up during lowest point of PBA career]
Nelson Asaytono gests his due
Speaking of great players, Nelson Asaytono finally made it to the Greatest Players list.
Since his departure in 2006, The Bull made a rare appearance on April 11 when he joined fellow greats on a night the league honored the newest members of the 50.
In the latest addition to the elite club, Asaytono joins the latest batch PBA greats which includes Jeffrey Cariaso, Bong Hawkins, June Mar Fajardo, and Elpidio Villamin, among others
[ALSO READ: Nelson Asaytono makes rare appearance as PBA honors new members of 50 Greatest list]
Not a few fans felt his inclusion was long overdue.
Redemption arc complete for Chot Reyes
Under coach Chot Reyes, TNT came so near to winning a Grand Slam after claiming the Commissioner’s Cup and Governors’ Cup crowns in Season 49.
Injuries to key players like Jayson Castro and Rey Nambatac ultimately denied them a Triple Crown after bowing to All-Filipino powerhouse San Miguel.
Still, Reyes did a spectacular job he earned a record-extending seventh Coach of the Year award given by the members of the PBA Press Corps.
It was a vindication for a coach who undeservingly received vitriol from Filipino fans in his last stint with Gilas Pilipinas.
[ALSO READ: Chot Reyes wins PBA Coach of the Year, recalls ‘darkest moment’ of career]
More player exodus
Aside from Tolentino, also moving elsewhere were Jamie Malonzo and William Navarro.
During the offseason, Malonzo signed with Japan B.LEAGUE’s Kyoto Hannaryz where he ended up playing just five games before mutually parting ways.
[READ: Jamie Malonzo moves from Ginebra to Kyoto Hannaryz in Japan B.LEAGUE]
Weeks later, Navarro headed to Korea after inking a deal with KBL team Busan KCC Egis.
[ALSO READ: Will Navarro heads to KBL with Busan KCC Egis after parting ways with Magnolia Hotshots]
Both moves prompted the PBA to impose a three-year ban on players leaving for other leagues.
Titan Ultra introduction
After 13 years in the league, the NorthPort brand leaves the PBA, paving the way for a titanic rise of a new team.
Enter the Titan Ultra Giant Risers, a team filled with young talent led by former Rookie of the Year and two-time BPC awardee Calvin Abueva.
The resurgence of Abueva in a team that also includes then NorthPort start Joshua Munzon and Fran Yu saw the Giant Risers barely miss the playoff bus.
[ALSO READ: What's in a name? Pureblends explains reasoning for 'Titan Ultra Giant Risers' ahead of PBA 50]
With inches short of making a mark in the PBA, Titan Ultra is set to take on the giants of the league moving forward.
Historic debut for JGDL
Juan Gomez de Liaño announced his arrival in the PBA in style.
The Converge rookie, picked second overall in the Draft, put up a triple double in his first PBA game in the 129-92 win over Titan Ultra.
He finished with 15 points, 10 rebounds, and 11 assists for the FiberXers.
[ALSO READ: Juan GDL on historic triple-double: 'Not a bad way to start my PBA career’]
He ended the conference with another spectacular 25-point performance but in a loss to Ginebra that had all the trappings of a classic.
Tenorio doing a Jawo
LA Tenorio may not have left his playing days behind in a sudden turn of events of PBA Season 50 Philippine Cup.
The Magnolia Hotshots' head coach became only the seventh to serve as playing-coach in the PBA, after having been activated as a player following the loss of Paul Lee and Jerom Lastimosa to injuries.
Tenorio found the need to suit up again against since playing in Game 7 of last season’s semifinals between Ginebra and San Miguel which the former won.
[ALSO READ: LA Tenorio takes full responsibility as Magnolia endures another early PBA exit]
Gabe Norwood bids goodbye
At the start of Season 50, Gabe Norwood knew the end was coming.
Norwood announced he was retiring at the conclusion of the ongoing Philippine Cup, which was Tuesday night, Dec. 29 for the Elasto Painters.
Though it wasn’t the ending he envisioned — Rain or Shine being ousted by Meralco after enjoying a twice-to-beat edge — Norwood expressed his gratitude to the fans who supported him since Day 1.
Norwood retired as a Rain or Shine lifer, spending all his seasons with the team that drafted him first overall in the 2008 Draft.
[ALSO READ: Gabe Norwood reflects on PBA career, all with Rain or Shine: 'It’s special to me’]
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Like most sportswriters, Jan Ballesteros once dreamed of becoming a professional hooper. But he learned the hard way that it’s not for everyone.
He continues to be involved in the sport he loves, but this time as a member of the PBA Press Corps. Aside from primarily covering the PBA, he is also assigned to cover Gilas Pilipinas.