Nelson Asaytono’s Final Shot at PBA’s 50 Greatest Players List

Will the third time be the charm for Nelson Asaytono? As the Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) prepares to unveil the final additions to its prestigious 50 Greatest Players list, fans eagerly await to see if one of the league’s most dominant scorers will finally receive the recognition many believe he deserves.

A Long-Awaited Honor

Nicknamed ‘The Bull,’ Asaytono was expected to be a first-ballot selection when the PBA introduced its original 25 Greatest Players in 2000. However, he was shockingly left out. The snub was further magnified in 2015 when the league expanded the list to 40 players, yet he was once again overlooked. Now, as the PBA commemorates its 50th anniversary, this may be Asaytono’s final opportunity to join the elite ranks that include many of his former teammates and rivals from his playing career spanning 1989 to 2006.

The Panel’s Decision

A 10-member panel, chaired by former commissioner Renauld ‘Sonny’ Barrios and including legends Ramon Fernandez, Atoy Co, Allan Caidic, and championship coach Dante Silverio, will determine the final 10 players to be added. The results will be formally announced at the Cignal Customer Experience Center.

A Strong Case for Asaytono

Asaytono currently ranks No. 5 on the PBA’s all-time scoring list with 12,668 points—yet he remains the only player in the Top 10 who has not been named to the Greatest Players list. This makes his exclusion even more baffling and fuels the argument that he deserves a spot.

He is not alone in the discussion, as other notable snubs include former Toyota teammates Abe King and the late Arnie Tuadles, high-flying forward Danny Seigle, and consistent big man Bong Hawkins.

New Additions Already Locked In

Two active players are already guaranteed spots on the list—eight-time MVP June Mar Fajardo of San Miguel and 2021 MVP Scottie Thompson of Barangay Ginebra. Based on previous selection criteria, MVP winners are automatically included in the Greatest Players list.

Will Asaytono Get His Due?

With only 10 spots left and a long list of deserving candidates, the suspense continues to build. Will the PBA finally recognize Asaytono’s contributions and solidify his legacy as one of the league’s all-time greats? Fans will soon find out.