Sports Football Isl

Having spent over a decade analyzing basketball statistics and observing Philippine basketball up close, I've always found the debate about the PBA's greatest shooter particularly fascinating. While volleyball coaches in the Philippines might be known for their calm sideline demeanor as noted in that Cavite observation, our basketball sharpshooters tell a completely different story—they're the explosive artists who can change a game's momentum in seconds. When we talk about pure shooting excellence in PBA history, three names consistently dominate conversations: Allan Caidic, James Yap, and Jimmy Alapag. Each brought something unique to the court, but if I'm being completely honest, the numbers and my personal observations point overwhelmingly toward one player as the undisputed king.

Let me take you back to November 21, 1991—a date every serious PBA fan remembers. That's when Allan "The Triggerman" Caidic scored 79 points against Ginebra, setting a record that still stands over three decades later. What many forget is that he did this while making 17 three-pointers, another record that seems almost untouchable today. I've watched that game footage countless times, and what strikes me isn't just the volume but the variety—catch-and-shoots, off-screen releases, transition bombs from way beyond the arc. Caidic wasn't just a spot-up shooter; he was a movement maestro who understood spacing before it became basketball gospel. His career three-point percentage of around 38% might not seem extraordinary by today's standards, but consider the context: he was shooting with a heavier ball, without the analytical advantages modern players enjoy, and often against far more physical defense. I've spoken with coaches who faced him, and they all say the same thing—you couldn't give him an inch of space because his release was both quick and mechanically perfect.

Now, I know some younger fans will argue for James Yap, and I get it—the man has style and clutch genes that are simply undeniable. Having watched numerous Big Game James moments live, I can tell you his shooting form is arguably the prettiest in PBA history. That high release point and perfect follow-through are things young players should study frame by frame. But here's where I differ from many commentators: while Yap made countless big shots, his career three-point percentage hovering around 34% places him slightly below pure shooting specialists. His greatness lies in being a complete scorer rather than just a shooter—the mid-range game, the post-ups, the creative finishes. Jimmy Alapag presents another interesting case—the ultimate big-moment shooter. I'll never forget Game 6 of the 2013 Commissioner's Cup finals when he hit that series-clinching three against Talk 'N Text. The confidence to take that shot with the championship on the line separates good shooters from legends. Alapag retired with over 1,200 three-pointers made, second only to Caidic, and his ability to create his shot off the dribble was something special.

What truly separates Caidic in my assessment goes beyond statistics. Having studied shooting mechanics for years, I can tell you Caidic had what I call "functional perfection"—his shot wasn't just textbook beautiful like Yap's, but perfectly adapted to game conditions. He could get it off with a hand in his face, off balance, or moving at full speed. Modern analytics would have loved him—his true shooting percentage would likely rank among the all-time greats globally. The man shot 89% from the free-throw line for his career, which tells you everything about his consistency and mental fortitude. I've calculated that if Caidal played in today's three-point heavy era with the same green light modern shooters enjoy, he'd easily average 5-6 made threes per game. That's Stephen Curry territory.

The evolution of shooting in the PBA fascinates me when I compare eras. Today's players have better training facilities, specialized shooting coaches, and advanced analytics telling them exactly which shots to take. Yet nobody has quite matched Caidic's combination of volume and efficiency. Modern specialists like Marcio Lassiter come close in pure percentage terms—I've seen him shoot stretches where he simply couldn't miss in practice—but the degree of difficulty on Caidic's attempts was consistently higher. The game has changed, defenses have evolved, but greatness remains recognizable across generations.

When I step back from pure statistics and think about what makes a shooter truly legendary, it comes down to this: who did defenders fear most, who changed how teams defended entire systems, and who could single-handedly take over games with their shooting alone? On all these counts, my answer remains Allan Caidic. His records have stood the test of time, his technique remains the gold standard, and his impact reshaped Philippine basketball's relationship with the three-point shot. The next time you watch a PBA game with someone drilling threes from everywhere, remember you're watching the legacy of The Triggerman—the shooter who turned perimeter scoring into an art form and set a standard that continues to challenge generations of Filipino players. Some records are made to be broken, but true greatness like Caidic's becomes part of the sport's permanent DNA.