From ‘Tapal King’ to ‘Spider-Man’: Top defensive big men in PBA history

A big man’s job in the PBA is a herculean task. Not only is he expected to man the paint where all the pushing and physicality happen, he is also called upon to limit the production of imports who often score in bunches. 

Throughout the PBA’s over 4 decades of existence, there have been a number of big men who have carved their niche on the defensive end.

We list down 11 of the best ones:

Philip Cezar

Cezar was the first prototype do-it-all power forward. The PBA MVP in 1980, he finished his career 6th in the all-time scoring list and 9th among assists leaders. 

As good of a scorer and facilitator Cezar was, he was even better as the anchor of the defense of the Crispa Redmanizers. Cezar was the original “Tapal King” who patented what became known as the umbrella defense. Although he stood just a shade below 6-foot-3, he played bigger than his size and ended with the second-most blocks in league history. He is also one of only two bigs among the top 15 all-time leaders in steals.

Abe King

Norman Black once remarked that Abe King was the toughest local he had to contend with. In a previous interview with Rappler, King shared his defensive secret: “I spent time studying players I was tasked to guard – how they positioned their feet, how they held the ball, how they raised the ball when they were about to shoot.”

Named to the league’s first-ever All-Defensive Team, King always had the unenviable assignment of defending imports, regardless whether they were tall and hefty or versatile and quick. He often gave them king-sized headaches. There is a reason why there is a clamor to name the Defensive Player of the Year award after him. King was one of the best defenders to ever play the game.

Chito Loyzaga

It is a bit of a stretch to classify Loyzaga as a big man. He was just 6-foot-2 and mostly operated offensively on the outside where he was a dead-shot gunner. But on the defensive end, Ginebra coach Sonny Jaworski often called on Loyzaga to guard the best big men of the opposing team. 

The PBA started handing out the All-Defensive Team award only in 1985. Loyzaga made the All-Defensive Team 8 times, tied with two others for second-most selections. It is not improbable that Loyzaga would have won more times if the award was handed out earlier. 

Yoyoy Villamin

In the late 1980s, the PBA instituted a “protected list” disallowing the league’s 4 top big men from playing together in the same team. The rule was intended to ensure parity in the league. Three of these players were centers Ramon Fernandez, Abet Guidaben, and Manny Victorino. The shortest in the group was 6-foot-3 Yoyoy Villamin.

Known as the “Bicolano Superman,” Villamin made the first 6 All-Defensive Teams from 1985 to 1990. He did this despite being slowed down by an injury beginning in the 1988 season which forced him to wear a six-pound knee brace. His career had a resurgence in 1995, when at age 37, he made the All-Defensive Team for the seventh time.

Yves Dignadice

It is hard to believe that Yves Dignadice never made the All-Defensive Team. After all, Dignadice was a perennial All-Star early in his career and was handpicked for the first all-pro 1990 national team to the Asian Games primarily on the strength of his defensive acumen.

Dignadice was one of the most versatile defenders in the late ’80s until the early ’90s. Alvin Patrimonio revealed his difficulties in dealing with Dignadice whom he described as “long-limbed and quick.” Dignadice had that rare ability to defend high-scoring centers and power forwards as well as the faster wing players and shooters of opposing teams.

Alvin Teng

The man nicknamed the “Robocop” took no prisoners and was an immovable force on the low block. Teng was a second-string big man in his first two years in the pros before blossoming in 1988 when he won the Most Improved Player award. He made his bones by holding his own against the league’s bruisers.

Teng was the recipient of the Defensive Player Award when it was first handed out in 1993. From 1989 to 1994, he made the All-Defensive Team 6 straight times. Teng also was a ferocious rebounder and a reliable scorer, earning him a spot in the Second Mythical Team 4 times in his career.

Jerry Codiñera

The title “Defense Minister” attached to him was justified. Hands down, Jerry Codiñera is the best defensive center in league history. Codiñera’s impeccable defensive timing made the shaded lane a seeming no man’s land for any team that Purefoods faced. He ranks 4th overall in career blocked shots.

He holds the record for most appearances in the All-Defensive Team, earning the citation 10 times. He won Defensive Player of the Year in 1994. He is also the league all-time leader in career offensive rebounds. Codiñera is a three-time Mythical First Team member who many believe should have been the league MVP in 1993.

Freddie Abuda

Freddie Abuda was an unheralded player who was selected by Coney Island in the second round of the 1993 draft. He could not crack the team’s frontline rotation which consisted of Patrimonio, Codiñera, and King.

When he moved to San Miguel Beer in 1994, Abuda established himself as the quintessential role player. Earning the monicker “The Scavenger,” he became known for his willingness to do the dirty work for his team, whether it was by rebounding or by playing defense. Abuda is 1 of only 6 players to have won the Defensive Player of the Year more than once, copping the award in 1997 and 2000. 

Chris Jackson

Chris Jackson ruled as Defensive Player of the Year thrice, tied for most in league history. Although not a high leaper, the tallest, or the quickest, Jackson proved to be a cerebral defensive master who knew how to optimize his physical assets. He was strong, as Patrimonio described in an interview, who tired out opposing bigs with the constant banging and positioning in the low block.

Jackson formed a solid frontline rotation with Benjie Paras and Vic Pablo to make their team, Shell, a perennial contender in the late ’90s. Jackson was their defensive fulcrum as evidenced by the 7 times he got named to the All-Defensive Team.

Marc Pingris

At his peak, it was not uncommon to see Marc Pingris guard Asi Taulava in one game, then Paul Lee or Jayson Castro the next game. Pingris perhaps is the only one in this list who could defend anyone from a center to a point guard.

He shares the record with Jackson for most Defensive Player of the Year awards. He is also tied for 2nd in the list for most All-Defensive Team citations with 8. 

Pingris’ value was more than just shutting down high scorers one-on-one. He was also a great off-the-ball defender who disrupted passing lanes and cover for teammates who blew their defensive assignments. 

Arwind Santos

Before he was named PBA MVP in 2013 and before he became known for his long bombs, “Spider-Man” dunks, and on-court shenanigans, Arwind Santos made his mark as one of the elite defenders in the league.

With his long arms, quick laterals, and leaping ability, Santos had all the physical attributes of a top-notch defensive specialist. As a rookie, he already made the All-Defensive Team, a feat he went on to achieve 6 more times in his career. In just his sophomore year in 2008, he clinched the Defensive Player of the Year honors. He won the award for the second time in 2011. – Rappler.com