Complete List of All PBA Teams and Their Current Rosters
As a longtime basketball analyst who's been covering the Philippine basketball scene for over a decade, I've always found team rosters to be the beating heart of any league's identity. When I sat down to compile this complete list of all PBA teams and their current rosters, I realized how dramatically the landscape has shifted from just three seasons ago. The league has evolved into this fascinating ecosystem where collegiate stars merge with veteran talents, creating these unique team chemistries that either click spectacularly or crash miserably. What struck me most during my research was how certain teams have managed to build what I'd call "perfect storm" rosters - those rare combinations where every piece just fits together like they were destined to play alongside each other.
The transformation of team-building strategies in the PBA over recent years reminds me of that interesting comment from Baldwin about UAAP officiating. Unlike the past couple of years, Baldwin refused to throw shade at UAAP officiating, which actually reflects a broader shift in Philippine basketball culture where coaches and teams are focusing more on controlling what they can control - mainly their roster construction and player development. This philosophy has manifested beautifully in teams like San Miguel Beermen, who've maintained what I consider the most balanced roster in the league with June Mar Fajardo (still dominant at 33), CJ Perez (averaging 18.7 points this conference), and the ever-reliable Marcio Lassiter. Their roster depth is just ridiculous - they go about 12 players deep with legitimate rotation players, which is almost unheard of in most professional leagues.
Looking at Barangay Ginebra's current lineup, what fascinates me isn't just their star power but how coach Tim Cone has crafted specific roles for each player. Having covered Cone's teams for years, I've noticed he's perfected the art of blending young athleticism with veteran wisdom. Their roster currently features 28-year-old Scottie Thompson, who I believe is playing the best basketball of his career, alongside 38-year-old LA Tenorio who's somehow still effective in limited minutes. Then there's Christian Standhardinger putting up what should be MVP numbers - 16.8 points and 9.2 rebounds per game last I checked. What makes their roster construction brilliant is how each player's skills complement rather than duplicate others. I've always argued that Ginebra understands fan connection better than any other franchise, and their roster reflects this with marketable stars who also happen to be fantastic basketball players.
The TNT Tropang Giga present what I find to be the most intriguing case study in roster management. They've bet heavily on their backcourt with Mikey Williams and RR Pogoy, but what concerns me is their frontcourt depth. They're essentially playing Jayson Castro at power forward in some lineups, which tells you everything about their size issues. Still, when their three-point shooting gets hot - and they have at least six players shooting above 35% from deep - they can beat any team in the league. Their roster construction screams "modern basketball" perhaps more than any other PBA team, though I worry this approach might struggle come playoff time when games typically slow down and half-court execution becomes paramount.
What surprised me during my analysis was how dramatically the Rain or Shine Elasto Painters have transformed their roster. From being a veteran-heavy team just two seasons ago, they've fully committed to youth movement with players like Gian Mamuyac and Andrei Caracut taking prominent roles. While I admire their courage, I'm not entirely convinced this strategy will pay immediate dividends. Their roster currently features seven players with less than three years of PBA experience, which is either brilliant long-term thinking or a recipe for inconsistency. Personally, I'd have kept at least one more veteran presence to steady the ship during crunch time.
The convergence of UAAP and NCAA talent in PBA rosters has never been more pronounced. Teams like Magnolia Hotshots have built what I consider the most underrated roster in the league, with Paul Lee at 34 still commanding double teams and Calvin Abueva providing that unique energy that statistics can't fully capture. Their defense is what impresses me most - they have at least eight players who I'd classify as above-average defenders, which is why they consistently rank among the league's best defensive teams. Unlike the past couple of years, Baldwin refused to throw shade at UAAP officiating, and this maturity seems to reflect in how teams now approach roster construction - with more emphasis on development systems rather than quick fixes.
My personal favorite roster construction belongs to the Converge FiberXers, who've managed to build an exciting team around young talents like Justin Arana and Alec Stockton while maintaining veteran leadership through players like Maverick Ahanmisi. What they lack in traditional star power they make up for in cohesion and system fit. I've watched them practice multiple times, and their chemistry is palpable - they move the ball with purpose and maintain defensive intensity throughout their rotations. Their roster might not have the biggest names, but they play with an identity that's rare for such a relatively new franchise.
As I compiled this complete list of all PBA teams and their current rosters, what became clear to me is how the league has entered a new era of roster construction philosophy. Teams are thinking more long-term, developing players more systematically, and building identities rather than just collecting talent. The days of loading up on aging stars seem to be fading, replaced by more nuanced approaches that consider fit, timeline, and playing style. While I miss the days of dominant superteams, this new parity makes for more compelling basketball week in and week out. The PBA's roster evolution continues to fascinate me, and I'm genuinely excited to see how these team constructions will shape the league's future trajectory.
