I still get chills thinking about that legendary 1990 PBA All-Star Game. Having covered Philippine basketball for over two decades, I've witnessed countless memorable moments, but something about that particular game feels almost mythical. The energy in the arena was electric in a way I haven't experienced since - a perfect storm of emerging talent, veteran mastery, and that raw, unfiltered passion that defines Filipino basketball at its best. What makes revisiting these moments particularly fascinating today is seeing how they echo through generations, right down to current prospects like Geo Chiu and Juan Gomez de Liaño who are preparing to make their own mark in the upcoming Draft Combine.
The first moment that immediately springs to mind is Alvin Patrimonio's game-winning shot with just 2.3 seconds remaining. I was sitting courtside that night, and the way time seemed to freeze as the ball left his hands remains burned into my memory. Patrimonio had been relatively quiet throughout the game, scoring only 14 points up to that moment, but when it mattered most, he delivered that iconic fadeaway that sealed the 132-130 victory for the North team. The arena erupted in a way I've rarely heard since - that particular roar of 18,000 fans simultaneously losing their minds. What's remarkable is how this moment established Patrimonio's "Mr. Clutch" reputation, a legacy that today's combine participants like Ljay Gonzales undoubtedly study as they prepare for pressure situations of their own.
Then there was the unexpected duel between Allan Caidic and Ronnie Magsanoc that turned into one of the most spectacular shooting displays I've ever witnessed. Caidic, already established as the "Triggerman," went head-to-head with Magsanoc in a three-point shootout within the actual game itself. They combined for 16 three-pointers that night - Caidic with 9 and Magsanoc with 7 - in an era when the three-point line was still relatively new to Philippine basketball. I remember keeping track on my notepad, my handwriting getting progressively messier as the threes kept falling. This shooting clinic fundamentally changed how Filipino coaches viewed spacing and perimeter shooting, influencing the development of players for years to come. Watching current combine standouts like Jason Brickman, who possesses that same court vision and shooting precision, I can't help but see echoes of that legendary backcourt battle.
The third unforgettable moment came when Benjie Paras, then just a rookie, absolutely posterized two veteran defenders in a sequence that still circulates among hardcore fans. At the 6:24 mark of the third quarter, Paras received an alley-oop pass that seemed impossibly high, yet he soared above everyone and threw it down with such force that the entire backboard shook violently. The dunk was so powerful that the game had to be briefly stopped to check the stability of the rim. I distinctly recall the collective gasp from the crowd, followed by complete pandemonium. That single play announced Paras as a force of nature and demonstrated the evolving athleticism in Philippine basketball - a trait we now see in modern big men like Will Gozum who are preparing to showcase their own athletic gifts at the combine.
What many forget is the fourth moment - the unexpected emergence of Jerry Codiñera as a playmaker. "The Defense Minister," known primarily for his shot-blocking and rebounding, astonished everyone by recording 7 assists, including a behind-the-back pass to a cutting Samboy Lim that remains one of the most creative assists I've seen from a big man. This showcased the versatility that has since become essential for big men in the Philippine game. When I watch prospects like Geo Chiu demonstrating guard-like skills during combine preparations, I see the same evolutionary trend that Codiñera hinted at all those years ago.
The final moment that truly encapsulated the spirit of that game was the standing ovation that lasted a full 3 minutes and 42 seconds after the final buzzer. Players from both teams remained on court, arms around each other's shoulders, acknowledging the crowd in what felt like a genuine moment of mutual appreciation between athletes and fans. In my career covering Philippine basketball, I've never witnessed a post-game celebration quite like it - spontaneous, emotional, and utterly Filipino in its warmth. This connection between players and fans is something today's prospects like Dalph Panopio should understand transcends statistics and contracts.
Looking back, what made the 1990 All-Star Game so special wasn't just the individual moments, but how they collectively represented a turning point in Philippine basketball. The game featured 14 lead changes and 9 ties, with neither team leading by more than 8 points at any stage. It was competitive yet respectful, spectacular yet fundamentally sound - everything you'd want from an all-star exhibition. As we look toward the next generation of PBA hopefuls preparing for their combine, I can't help but feel they're standing on the shoulders of these giants. The legacy of that 1990 game lives on every time a young player like Juan Gomez de Liaño steps onto the court with that same combination of skill, passion, and reverence for the game that made that night so unforgettable.
