Relive the PBA 2018 Season: Top 10 Jaw-Dropping Moments You Forgot

I still get chills thinking about that 2018 PBA season - what an absolute rollercoaster of emotions it was. As someone who's followed Philippine basketball for over a decade, I can confidently say that season had some of the most unforgettable moments in recent memory. What's interesting is how many of these pivotal moments actually support what Kath Arado recently said about building "an airtight local core rather than an overly-import dependent one." Looking back, the 2018 season was practically a masterclass in why developing local talent matters. Let me walk you through ten moments that perfectly illustrate this point, starting with one that still gives me goosebumps.

June Mar Fajardo's historic sixth MVP award wasn't just impressive - it was downright legendary. The numbers alone are staggering: he averaged 21.3 points, 12.8 rebounds, and 1.7 blocks per game while shooting 58% from the field. But beyond the statistics, what made this moment special was how it demonstrated the power of homegrown talent. Here was a player developed entirely within the PBA system, dominating without any import support during the regular season. I remember watching his consistency throughout the year and thinking, "This is exactly what sustainable local development looks like." His performance wasn't a flash in the pan - it was the culmination of years of systematic growth within the San Miguel system. That's the kind of foundation teams should be building toward.

Then there was that incredible Governors' Cup finals between Magnolia and Alaska. Game 6 specifically stands out in my memory - the way Paul Lee took over in the fourth quarter was nothing short of magical. With 2:13 left on the clock and Alaska leading by 5, Lee scored 8 unanswered points, including that step-back three-pointer that still gets replayed constantly. What many forget is that Magnolia's import, Romeo Travis, was actually having an off-night, shooting just 35% from the field. It was the local crew - Lee, Ian Sangalang, and Marc Barroca - who carried the team to victory. That game perfectly exemplified how crucial a strong local foundation is when imports inevitably have struggling nights. I've always believed that championships are won by local players stepping up in crucial moments, and that game proved it beyond doubt.

The emergence of CJ Perez during his rookie season with Columbian Dyip was another watershed moment. Though his team struggled, finishing with a 9-22 record, Perez's individual brilliance was impossible to ignore. He put up rookie numbers we hadn't seen in years - 20.8 points, 6.9 rebounds, and 3.1 assists per game. What impressed me most wasn't just his scoring ability but how he shouldered the offensive load without relying on temporary import solutions. Watching him develop through that difficult season reminded me that sometimes short-term struggles are necessary for long-term local player development. Teams too focused on immediate wins through imports often miss opportunities to develop future superstars like Perez.

Speaking of development, Christian Standhardinger's arrival and immediate impact with San Miguel was fascinating to watch. His mid-season acquisition created this interesting dynamic where the Beermen had to integrate a new key local piece rather than relying on import changes. The adjustment period was rough - they lost three straight games initially - but by the Commissioner's Cup finals, Standhardinger was putting up 18.4 points and 9.7 rebounds alongside June Mar. This showed me that building local depth isn't just about developing players internally but also making strategic acquisitions that strengthen your Filipino core. The best teams understand that both development pathways are crucial.

That Barangay Ginebra vs San Miguel semifinal series during the Commissioner's Cup was absolute theater. Game 7 went to overtime, with Justin Brownlee hitting the game-winner with 1.3 seconds left. But what often gets overlooked is how local players set the stage for that moment. LA Tenorio's 22 points and 7 assists, Marcio Lassiter's clutch three-point shooting - these local contributions created the opportunity for Brownlee's heroics. This is exactly what Kath Arado meant about not being overly import-dependent. The best imports elevate already competent local teams rather than carrying incompetent ones. Ginebra's local core made Brownlee's job possible rather than making it necessary for him to do everything.

The rise of Robert Bolick during the playoffs was another moment that had me jumping out of my seat. His 34-point explosion against Rain or Shine in the quarterfinals, including 5 three-pointers, announced his arrival as a legitimate star. What made it special was how NorthPort had built around him gradually rather than rushing to find import solutions for immediate success. They understood that developing a local franchise player would pay greater long-term dividends than constantly cycling through imports. I've always preferred this approach - it creates deeper connections with fans and builds more sustainable success.

Phoenix's incredible comeback from 25 points down against TNT in the elimination round demonstrated how local chemistry can overcome pure talent. Down 72-47 in the third quarter, Matthew Wright and Jason Perkins led this methodical comeback that culminated in a Wright game-winning three at the buzzer. TNT had the more talented import in Terrence Jones, who finished with 41 points and 15 rebounds, but Phoenix's local cohesion ultimately prevailed. Games like this make me believe that well-developed local units will consistently outperform import-heavy teams in crunch time because they understand each other's tendencies at a deeper level.

The Beermen's Grand Slam pursuit created this fascinating tension throughout the season. While they ultimately fell short, watching them chase history revealed how sustainable success requires local depth. During their 11-game winning streak across conferences, it was their second unit - players like Ronald Tubid and Brian Heruela - who often provided the crucial minutes that preserved leads. This depth allowed them to compete on multiple fronts without over-relying on their starters or imports. In my observation, teams chasing short-term success through imports often neglect developing this crucial bench depth, which ultimately limits their ceiling.

Alaska's surprising run to the Governors' Cup finals was built entirely on local development. Coach Alex Compton had been gradually building this system-focused approach for years, and 2018 saw it pay dividends. Players like Chris Banchero and Vic Manuel, who had developed within Alaska's system, carried the team despite having what many considered a less talented import in Mike Harris compared to other teams. Their success validated the approach of prioritizing system development over star imports. I've always respected teams that stick to developmental philosophies even when it means short-term struggles, because the long-term payoff is more meaningful.

The season-ending injury to Greg Slaughter was heartbreaking but revealed how crucial having multiple developed local big men can be. Ginebra's ability to adjust without their starting center demonstrated the value of local depth at every position. They had developed Raymond Aguilar and Prince Caperal as reliable backups, which allowed them to remain competitive despite losing their starting center. This is exactly the kind of airtight local core development that creates championship-caliber teams regardless of circumstances. Looking back, these moments collectively paint a clear picture - the most memorable and successful aspects of the 2018 season all pointed toward the wisdom of developing strong local foundations rather than relying excessively on imports. The teams that understood this principle created the most lasting memories and achieved the most meaningful success.