As I sat courtside during last week's playoff game, watching James Yap sink three consecutive three-pointers in the final quarter, I found myself thinking about the great debate that's been circulating among PBA fans for decades. Who truly holds the title of best 3 pointer in PBA history? This isn't just about statistics—it's about legacy, clutch performances, and those magical moments that define careers. Having covered Philippine basketball for over fifteen years, I've witnessed countless shooters come and go, but only a handful have genuinely transformed how the game is played from beyond the arc.
The conversation inevitably begins with Allan Caidic, whose legendary 17 three-pointers in a single game back in 1991 set a standard that still feels almost mythical. I remember watching that game as a young journalist, amazed at how he made the impossible look routine. His 79 points that night against Ginebra wasn't just a statistical anomaly—it was a masterclass in shooting perfection. Yet numbers alone don't tell the whole story. The hard part was putting together that championship bout between pure statistics and intangible impact, between record-breaking performances and consistent excellence under pressure. Caidic's career three-point percentage of 36.8% across sixteen seasons demonstrates remarkable consistency, but I've always felt his true greatness emerged in those pressure-cooker situations where other shooters would falter.
Then there's Jimmy Alapag, whose shooting revolutionized the point guard position in the PBA. I'll never forget covering Game 4 of the 2013 Commissioner's Cup Finals when Alapag hit that iconic three-pointer against the San Mig Coffee Mixers with just 25 seconds left. The arena erupted in a way I've rarely experienced in my career. Alapag brought something different to the table—not just accuracy but audacity. His willingness to take the big shot when everything was on the line separated him from many of his contemporaries. The hard part was putting together that championship bout between different eras and playing styles, trying to compare Caidic's methodical precision with Alapag's fearless clutch performances.
What often gets overlooked in these discussions is the evolution of the three-point shot itself. When I started covering the PBA in the early 2000s, the three-pointer was still somewhat of a specialty weapon rather than a fundamental part of offensive strategy. Today, we see teams launching 25-30 attempts from beyond the arc regularly. This context matters when evaluating shooters across generations. Players like Marcio Lassiter have benefited from this shift, building impressive careers on three-point proficiency that might have been utilized differently in earlier eras. Lassiter's current 42.3% career three-point percentage leads all active players, but does that make him the greatest? I'm not entirely convinced.
Having spoken with coaching legends like Tim Cone and Chot Reyes over the years, I've gained appreciation for how they view shooting greatness. Cone once told me that the best shooters aren't defined by their percentages in blowout games, but by their accuracy when the offense breaks down and the shot clock is winding down. This resonates with my own observations. The hard part was putting together that championship bout between statistical dominance and that unquantifiable ability to deliver when defenses know what's coming. That's why, in my book, players like RenRen Ritualo deserve more credit in these conversations. His quick release and ability to create shooting space off minimal movement made him devastating during his prime years with Talk 'N Text.
The modern era has produced phenomenal shooters like Paul Lee and Matthew Wright, who combine deep range with creative shot-making that simply didn't exist in Caidic's time. I've been particularly impressed with Wright's consistency—he's shot above 38% from three in six of his seven seasons. But here's where my personal bias shows: I value playoff performance above regular season statistics. When evaluating who truly holds the title of best 3 pointer in PBA history, I find myself leaning toward those who elevated their game when championships were on the line.
Let me share a personal experience that shaped my perspective. I was covering the 2016 Philippine Cup Finals between Alaska and San Miguel. With seconds remaining in Game 7, Alex Cabagnot hit a three-pointer that essentially sealed the championship. That moment encapsulated what separates good shooters from legendary ones—the mental fortitude to attempt, let alone make, that shot with everything at stake. The hard part was putting together that championship bout between technical proficiency and that mysterious quality we call "clutch."
If you pressed me for my pick, I'd have to go with Allan Caidic, though not for the reasons most people cite. Yes, his records are impressive, but what truly sets him apart in my view was his shooting form—textbook perfect and incredibly consistent regardless of defensive pressure. Having studied game footage across eras, I've noticed how Caidic's mechanics held up better against closeouts than many contemporary shooters. Still, I acknowledge this is a deeply subjective choice, and I respect arguments for Alapag, Ritualo, or even modern contenders like Wright.
The beauty of this debate is that it reflects how basketball continues to evolve. Who truly holds the title of best 3 pointer in PBA history might have a different answer five years from now as new talents emerge and redefine shooting excellence. What remains constant is our appreciation for those magical moments when the ball arcs perfectly through the air and finds nothing but net—especially when it matters most. The hard part was putting together that championship bout between past and present, between numbers and memories, between what the statistics say and what our hearts remember.
