Top 10 Greatest Coaches in the history of Philippine Basketball

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The Philippine basketball has its own history of the great minds in directing and leading a team. In selecting the Top 10 greatest coaches in the history of basketball in the Philippines, everybody needs to know that titles won in the PBA and in college level such as the UAAP and the NCAA were considered. Moreover, his impact to the game of basketball in the country is to be included in the criteria.

1. Baby Dalupan

Virgilio “Baby” A. Dalupan tops the list of the greatest coaches of Philippine Basketball. As head coach, Dalupan garnered a career total of 46 basketball championships, 15 PBA titles, including a Grand Slam, in 16 years and 12 titles in UAAP mens basketball under University of the East Red Warriors, six intercollegiate championships, and the the rest were in other championship leagues. Dalupan was head coach of the Philippine men’s basketball team, which finished eigth place, during the 1959 FIBA World Championship held in Chile.

“In hindsight, I am truly honored to say that I played for the greatest PBA coach ever! I’ve said this before and I’ll repeat it once again: I have played for many coaches — several great coaches both here in the States and in the Philippines — but I have never played for a coach that I wanted to win for more than Baby Dalupan. Helping to bring him a victory was very pleasing and gratifying to me, and to see that smile and hear those words of congratulations from him in the dugout immediately after a game… well, you just had to be there to know how special it was.” - former PBA player Ricky Brown

2. Norman Black

Norman Black ranked second in The Blow Sports as the best coach in Philippine Basketball primarily because of his 10 PBA titles and five UAAP championships. Before becoming a coach, he used to be an import in the PBA. He was called to coach and play at the same time. He had nine championships with the San Miguel Beermen, including a Grand Slam, and one with the Sta. Lucia Realtors. What made Black catapult his ranking was his five-consecutive championships with the Ateneo Blue Eagles, which separates Black from our No. 3.

3. Tim Cone

Tim Cone has been a great leader and motivator. Cone found his success in utilizing the triangle offense, popularized by NBA Chicago Bulls in the 90’s. Cone was able to win championships after championships when he was with Alaska. Cone won 13 titles with Alaska, including a Grand Slam, and five with San Mig Coffee, with another Grand Slam. He is the only PBA coach to win two Grand Slams, and two in different teams.

4. Ron Jacobs

Ron Jacobs altered the course of basketball in the country. He placed the Philippines on the map when he led the Philippine National Basketball team a winning record against the Chinese team. He inculcated science, hard work, and team play in the Philippine basketball.

Jacobs’ greatness cannot be measured only by the title he won in the 1985 ABC championship. Jacobs was able to produce disciples like: Eric Altamirano, Franz Pumaren, Siot Tanquingcen, and Jong Uichico and many more.

5. Chot Reyes

Chot Reyes was an assistant to Tim Cone before he was called to coach by the Coney Island team. In that year he became the youngest PBA coach to win a championship. Reyes captured eight titles, two from Coney Island, two from Coca-cola Tigers, and four from the Talk and Text. Reyes gave himself in developing the Philippine Basketball National team.

6. Jong Uichico

Jong Uichico captured eight total championships in 12 seasons, six with the San Miguel Beermen and two with the Barangay Ginebra. Uichico was the first rookie coach to lead his team to back-to-back titles in the same year.

7. Tommy Manotoc

Tommy Manotoc won six titles, including a Grand Slam with the Crispa Redmanizers, in eight years of stint in the PBA.

8. Arturo Valenzona

Arturo Valenzona would always be part of the Philippine Basketball. He led Tanduay to three PBA championships from 1986 to 1987. Moreover, Valenzona also coached San Sebastian College to five consecutive titles.

9. Yeng Guiao

Yeng Guiao has been in the PBA for a long time. He captured six titles in 17 seasons.

10. Robert Jaworski

Robert “Sonny” Jaworski was the first PBA playing-coach. Aside from being one of the greatest guards in the PBA, Jaworski tried to do one of the hardest things, playing  and at the same time coaching. Jaworski is known for his accurate passes and executions at end game. Jaworski won four titles as a playing coach.

Honorable mention…
Dante Silverio - 5 titles (6 seasons)
Siot Tanquingcen - 3 titles
Ed Campo - 4 titles (6 seasons)

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