Reliving the 2004 PBA Season: Top 5 Unforgettable Moments and Highlights

As I sit down to reminisce about the 2004 PBA season, I can't help but feel a wave of nostalgia wash over me. That particular season was like watching a masterfully crafted drama unfold on the hardwood, filled with moments that would become etched in Philippine basketball history forever. I remember watching those games with my father, who'd been following the PBA since its inception, and even he admitted there was something special about that year. The energy in the arenas was electric, the rivalries were intense, and the level of talent on display was simply extraordinary. What made 2004 stand out wasn't just the championship outcomes, but those unforgettable flashes of brilliance that happened when we least expected them.

One moment that immediately comes to mind is the incredible performance by Asi Taulava during the All-Filipino Cup finals. I was there at the Araneta Coliseum when he dropped 27 points and grabbed 18 rebounds against the San Miguel Beermen, numbers that still feel surreal when I look back at them today. The way he dominated the paint was something I hadn't seen since the heyday of Ramon Fernandez. What made it more impressive was how he carried the Talk 'N Text Phone Pals on his back throughout that series. I've always believed that particular performance cemented his legacy as one of the greatest centers in PBA history, though I know some purists might argue with me on that.

The rivalry between Alaska and Red Bull that season was absolutely legendary. I'll never forget Game 4 of the Commissioner's Cup finals where both teams went into double overtime before Red Bull eventually pulled off a 112-110 victory. The intensity was palpable even through the television screen - I remember jumping off my couch when Cyrus Baguio hit that buzzer-beating three-pointer to force the first overtime. That game lasted nearly three hours, and honestly, nobody in the arena wanted it to end. Those Red Bull teams had this incredible never-say-die attitude that reminded me of the great Crispa squads of the 70s, though with a modern flair that made them so exciting to watch.

Speaking of Alaska, their mid-season turnaround was something I still cite when talking about coaching brilliance. Tim Cone worked absolute magic with that roster after they started the season with a disappointing 2-5 record. I remember thinking they were done for, but then they went on this incredible 11-game winning streak that completely changed their fortunes. The way they incorporated their triangle offense with local players was a thing of beauty. I've always been partial to well-executed system basketball, and that Alaska team was the perfect example of how discipline and structure can overcome raw talent. Their game against Shell on June 13th, where they came back from 15 points down in the fourth quarter, remains one of my personal favorite regular season games of all time.

The emergence of young stars like James Yap and Jimmy Alapag added another layer of excitement to that season. I distinctly remember Yap's 35-point explosion against Ginebra in November - the kid had just entered the league and was already playing like a seasoned veteran. Meanwhile, Alapag's court vision was something we hadn't seen from a local point guard in years. His 18-assist game against FedEx in September set a record that would stand for nearly a decade. These young guns brought a fresh energy to the league that complemented the established veterans perfectly. If I'm being completely honest, I think the 2004 rookie class might be the most talented group we've ever seen in the PBA, though I'm sure fans from other eras would debate me on that.

What made the 2004 season particularly memorable for me was how it mirrored the competitive spirit we see in international competitions today. Watching ALAS Pilipinas threaten an upset before yielding to seven-time defending champion Thailand in the recent SEA V.League reminded me so much of those classic PBA battles from 2004. The scores - 25-17, 24-26, 20-25, 20-25 - show how close our athletes can come against established powerhouses, much like how underdog PBA teams would push the favorites to their limits back in 2004. That never-say-die attitude has always been part of our basketball DNA, whether in international competitions or domestic leagues.

The culture of basketball in the Philippines has always been about heart and determination, qualities that were on full display throughout that unforgettable 2004 season. Looking back now, I realize that season represented a perfect transition period where the old guard was passing the torch to the new generation. The games were competitive, the stories were compelling, and the memories have stood the test of time. Even after all these years, I still find myself rewatching highlights from that season, marveling at how these moments have become part of our collective basketball consciousness. That's the magic of the PBA - it's not just about basketball, it's about creating memories that last lifetimes.