It was only a couple of decades ago, but the 2000s already seems like another era altogether. This is especially true when you look back at what the Philippine Basketball Association was like back then. In this series, we harken back to the time of two-network broadcasts, a two-conference format, Fil-Shams, and other events that defined the PBA in the first decade of the new millennium.
There have been a ton of basketball milestones recorded since the Philippine Basketball Association officially began on April 9, 1975.
From the pioneers of Asia's professional cage league like Ramon Fernandez, the league's first four-time MVP awardee, to the longest-tenured player in Robert "Sonny" Jaworski, the PBA produced players, and coaches, along with sports officials, who reached career milestones and left lasting imprints.
The 2000s were an interesting decade for the PBA, where we witnessed several notable career milestones and key events.
A new commissioner
Emilio "Jun" Bernardino became the longest-serving commissioner in the PBA, manning the duties for the pro league's front office from January 1994 to December 2002. Health issues affected him in 2001, forcing him to temporarily hand the reins to Sonny Barrios. Bernardino eventually stepped down at the end of 2002, giving way to Noli Eala.
3OTs
Triple overtimes were a rarity in the PBA's storied history. But during the 2000s, the pro league recorded three triple-overtime matches. The first in that decade happened on May 22, 2004 when Red Bull pulled out a 141-138 win over Purefoods at the Ynares Center in Antipolo City. Five months after, Red Bull entered into another triple-overtime classic, this time outlasting Sta. Lucia Realty, 124-118, on Oct. 26, 2004 in Bacolod City. Purefoods figured in another triple-overtime thriller two years later when it subdued Talk 'N Text, 109-103, at the Araneta Coliseum.
Kerby plays over 60 minutes
Kerby Raymundo entered the PBA record books as the first PBA player to log in 61 minutes in a game during Purefoods' lung-busting 141-138 triple-overtime conquest of Talk 'N Text on May 22, 2004. The lanky Purefoods big man tallied a career-high 31 points, to go along with 18 rebounds and five assists.
The end of two franchises
Two teams that eventually left the PBA during the opening decade of the 2000s include Shell, which sold its franchise to Welcoat/Rain or Shine in 2005, as well as Tanduay (Lucio Tan group), whose franchise was bought by FedEx after the 2001 season.
Perfect night
Man-mountain forward Ali Peek came through a perfect game on March 10, 2006 by making all 12 of his shots from the floor to lead the Coca-Cola Tigers to an 81-69 rout of his former team Alaska Milk in their Philippine Cup match.
From three conferences to two
PBA fans were used to three-conference formats since the league began in 1975. But during the 2004-2005 season, then league commissioner Noli Eala came out with a major change in competition format by doing away with the traditional three-conference format to replace it with a compact two-conference setup. The two-conference format saw fans get used to only seeing teams compete for the Philippine Cup and Fiesta Conference every year or up until the 2010 season. The three-conference format returned in the 2010-11 season during the first year of Chito Salud as league commissioner, replacing the retired Sonny Barrios.
'The Rainman' makes history
Renren Ritualo entered the PBA history books as one of only two players who made eight straight 3-point baskets after achieving the feat in FedEx's 116-106 victory over Red Bull Barako on April 25, 2005. Ritualo, who went on to finish with nine triples in that game, shares the record with legendary shooter Allan Caidic.
Alex Compton the import
American Alex Compton was plucked out of retirement during the 2007 Fiesta Cup after serving as one of two imports for the then young team Welcoat Dragons. He showed he could still play after averaging 14.6 points, 5.5 assists, 4.9 rebounds and 1.1 steals. Before his call-up as import, the sweet-shooting Compton was already serving as one of the team's assistant coaches. Compton would play again during the 2008 Fiesta Cup.