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WOW, has it really been 10 years already since the new millennium began? Has it really been 10 years since all that hoopla surrounding the Y2K bug? Ten years since everyone was drawing up lists of the best this and that of the 20th century?

As we wind down the first decade of the 21st century, it’s time to draft another one of those lists, this time acknowledging the best performers and biggest news from the UAAP and NCAA over the past 10 years.

But first, we had to decide what exactly made one a player of the 2000s. For players whose collegiate careers started in the 1990s and ended in the 2000s and who are thus products of both decades, exactly how many years should they have played in the 2000s to be in the running?

In the end, we thought the fairest system would be to include all players who played a minimum of two seasons in the 2000s.

We also broke down our evaluation amongst us four inboundpass columnists: Charlie Cuna and Sid Ventura would pick the UAAP’s best while Mike Abasolo and Chris Soler would choose the NCAA’s finest.

We decided to honor the decade’s outstanding players, coaches, and teams, along with a couple of recognitions for best shot and clutch performance. We know choosing the best of the 2000s is never an exact science and will always be open to debate.

Nevertheless, we humbly submit the following as our best of college basketball for the decade of the 2000s. Whatever your school affiliation, we happen to think it’s a pretty solid list. So enjoy reading, and from all of us at inboundpass, we wish you all a happy new year as we welcome another decade of college basketball. Stay safe everybody!

PS we thought we’d start the new decade on the right foot: all non-sensical posts will be deleted immediately.

1. TEAM OF THE DECADE

UAAP
Charlie: My Team of the Decade would be the ‘08 Ateneo squad, simply because of its dominance over the rest of the league. It was just too easy for them.

Sid: The 2008 Ateneo Blue Eagles. They were the first team to win 16 games in a single UAAP season, and they registered the highest single-season winning percentage (.941) in 15 years. That team was just on the same page in virtually every game.

NCAA
Mike: 2006 San Beda Red Lions. San Beda stepped up is basketball program to end a 28-year title drought, compared to the 2005 Letran Knights that can equally if not surpass this Red Lions edition, San Beda was able to put together the dominant pieces that formed the core for two more championships.

Chris: 2005 Letran Knights. The men from Muralla entered that season as heavy favorites, and did not disappoint, going 13-1 in the eliminations and coming back from a game down to wrestle the title away from Jason Castro, Gabby Espinas and the PCU Dolphins. These Knights played without the glitzy go-to-guy, and were a team in every sense of the word.

2. COACH OF THE DECADE

UAAP
Charlie: Franz Pumaren. Team success is the gauge for the effectiveness of a coach and, despite the fact that his team encountered controversy that led to forfeiture of championships, the fact remains, he steered his teams to win games, brought out the best effort from his players and introduced a whole new focus on defense. Plus, other coaches may have done better in a single season. Nobody did better over the entire decade.

Sid: Franz Pumaren. I just heard the sound of a thousand readers collectively snickering, but whether you love him or hate him, the fact remains that no other coach accomplished what Pumaren accomplished over the past 10 years. Even if you strike out the PEP Test-tainted years of 2003 to 2005, you are still left with a coach who won three championships (2000, 2001 and 2007) and led his team to five Finals appearances and five Final Four appearances. But what really clinched it for me was what he did in 2007, when he did his best coaching in leading the Archers to a triumphant return to the top.

NCAA
Mike: Louie Alas. Probably the most underrated best coach of collegiate basketball to date. Coach Alas has consistently led the Knights every season for a final four appearance except for 2007. But every year, Coach Alas, something out of nothing, managed to keep the Knights competitive every single year.

Chris: Louie Alas. Two titles this decade, seven Final Four stints out of eight, no season below .500 and a mentor to a battalion of future stars. Letran may not be the most flamboyant school in town, but its got a legend parading its hallowed sidelines.

3. GAME OF THE DECADE

UAAP
Charlie: My Game of the Decade would be a game that history will not officially reflect, since it is Game 3 of the Season 67 (2004) Finals between DLSU and FEU, when Jvee Casio (my Clutch Performance of the Decade) hit the winning shot to give DLSU the championship (my Shot of the Decade). Of course we all know that DLSU subsequently had to forfeit its title that season due to the player ineligibility scandal involving Mark Benitez.

Sid: Game 3 of the 2006 Finals, UST vs. Ateneo. Overtime. Game 3 UAAP Finals. Two-point winning margin. All went down to the last possession. What other UAAP game during the 2000s could be better than that? Sure, you could make a case for the classic Ateneo-La Salle back-to-back Game 3s in 2001 and 2002, but in my book, the 2006 Game 3 between the upstart UST Tigers and the mighty Ateneo Blue Eagles trumped all other games in the 2000s. The Blue Eagles were the prohibitive favorites to win this series, but Pido Jarencio’s gritty band of Tigers had other plans.

NCAA
Mike: SBC vs. PCU 2006

Since 1978, it was all heartbreaks, disappointments, even tears for San Beda.  After 28 years,  the Red Lions finally got rid of the monkey on its back and won its 12th NCAA Championship in glorious fashion.

Chris: Game 3, 2006 NCAA Finals (Sept. 22, 2006 – SBC 68, PCU 67)

PCU battled back from a 20-point, fourth quarter deficit to trim the lead to one with 25 ticks left. The miss of the decade, however, turned out to be the nail in San Beda’s 28-year title drought coffin, as Beau Belga muffed a long jumper that could have kept the plum along Taft.

4. CLUTCH PERFORMANCE OF THE DECADE

UAAP
Charlie: (see Game of the Decade)

Sid: Jojo Duncil’s performance in overtime of Game 3 of the 2006 UAAP finals. Whenever I think about a player who strapped his team on his back and flat out took charge with a championship on the line, I just keep going back to what Duncil did in overtime of Game 3 of the ’06 season. With main man Jervy Cruz fouling out near the end of regulation, Duncil scored eight of his team-high 18 points in extra time to lead the Tigers to a 76-74 victory. Time and time again, Duncil asked for the ball and hit jumper after jumper like he was hitting practice shots. (If the outcome had gone the other way, I would have picked Macky Escalona’s career-high 28 points in that same game.)

NCAA

Mike: John Wilson (Aug 26 JRU 95, CSB 85)  – aside from being in my all team list, Mr. Wilson was at his dominant best in this game, literally carrying the scoring load for the Heavy Bombers on this day.  It was truly an MVP performance.

Chris: John WILSON, JRU (Aug. 26, 2009 – 48 points, 17 rebounds, nine triples). Wilson didn’t exactly win the title for the Heavy Bombers in this game, but dished out an unforgettable individual display as he scorched the Blazers from just about everywhere in that hardwood in San Juan. His point total and three-point output rank second all-time in single game annals.

5. SHOT OF THE DECADE

UAAP
Charlie: (see Game of the Decade)

Sid: Jec Chia’s buzzer beater in Game 2 of the 2002 Final Four match-up between Ateneo and UE. This was the shot that sent Ateneo into the finals where they would dethrone their five-peat-seeking archrivals. What made Chia’s buzzer beater even more amazing was that the sharpshooting guard had committed two crucial turnovers in the dying minutes of the game that allowed UE to stay close. Ateneo fans were screaming at coach Joel Banal to take him out of the game, providing another excellent reason why coaches should never listen to fans.

NCAA

Chris: Jason Castro nailed a go-ahead triple to push his PCU Dolphins to a 70-68, Game 1 win against Perpetual Help in the NCAA Season 80 title showdown. That shot swung the momentum and fueled the Dolphins’ all-around attack in the series.

6. THE ALL-DECADE TEAM

UAAP

Charlie: I gave a premium on Season MVPs. All of them are on my All-Decade Team. If you were the best for at least one season, you should be one of the best for the decade. Those who were not MVPs during the decade, I chose based on overall impact, considering the performance of their teams during the decade or during the years they were eligible to play within the decade.

For a decade filled with exciting basketball, stand-out players, superb teams and tons of controversy, my Mythical Teams are:

All-Decade 1st Team

C Rabeh Al-Hussaini – The 2008 regular-season MVP and 2009 Finals best player, dominant offensive player who shot a high percentage from field and line, he provided an intimidating presence in the middle, which discouraged opposing players from driving the lane with impunity.

PF Arwind Santos – 2 time Season MVP, 2 time Defensive Player of the Year, 2002 ROY winner, great offense all the way out to the 3pt line, but even greater defense with long arms and quick feet.

SF James Yap – 1 time MVP, shooter/scorer extraordinaire, played decent defense and hit clutch shots.

PG LA Tenorio – Clutch quarterback of his team, always seemed to step it up (step-back?) big when it counted and, arguably, could be the best little man of the decade in the UAAP.

SG JVee Casio – Scoring ability like no other, dead-shot shooter, clutch performer, ability to drive to the basket despite lack of size, flawless free-throw shooting, and tremendous leadership skills.

All-Decade 2nd Team:

C Enrico Villanueva – 1 time MVP, powerful post presence and intimidator inside, with just the right arrogance and swagger which really ticked off opposing players and fans alike.

PF Jervy Cruz – 1 time MVP, Finals MVP and the best low-post player of the decade, showed everyone that height is not necessarily might, and that positioning and timing are just as, if not more, important; great attitude.

SF Mark Cardona – Scorer extraordinaire, with an unorthodox style that was hard to guard, great on the defensive end and a master at annoying his defender into committing silly fouls, sending him to the line where he was just as effective.

PG Mike Cortez – 2000 ROY winner , superb floor general, strong and quick; could hit the three, but most effective as a penetrator and driving and dishing to the other scorers on his powerhouse teams.

SG Renren Ritualo – One of the best shooters all-time in UAAP history, was more of a ‘90s player, having played from ’97-’01, which only gave him 2 years for the decade in review; clutch and reliable, and his impact on his team was perhaps more than any other player in recent UAAP history.

All-Decade 3rd Team:

C Ken Bono – 1 time MVP, who led what seemed to be a ragtag team to the Final Four, hitting an array of shots from the post, midrange and all the way past the 3pt line, used his big body to the hilt, creating space to operate; most of all, a humble, quiet fellow who went about his business without complaint, much like Jervy Cruz.

PF Rich Alvarez – 2 time MVP, under much controversy, but indeed left an impact due to his high energy and athleticism, defensive presence and rebounding.

SF Dylan Ababou – Last MVP of the decade in review, had a steady career built on court smarts and effectiveness inside and out; could take over games with his scoring and ability to out-quick bigger defenders and shoot over most of the defenders at his position.

PG Denok Miranda – Started his career slowly, an error-prone young quarterback, but developed into a reliable orchestrator who used his strength and bulk at the position to overpower opponents, penetrating and kicking out to his shooters the main part of his offensive attack.

SG Larry Fonacier – Reliable shooter and leader of his team, was a co- Finals MVP in one championship series, providing inspiration and motivation for his teammates; knee injury in his last year provided a sour ending to a great UAAP career.

Sid: Drawing up an all-time list is always a challenge, even for a relatively short period of 10 years. I decided to put a premium on post-season success (which means you won’t see great players who never made the Final Four on this list), championships won, and individual awards. I also favored those who played consistently well from their rookie year until their terminal year, which is why someone like Rabeh Al-Hussaini isn’t in my top five even though he has put up remarkable numbers and won championships the past two years. Winning an MVP was a plus in my book, but did not translate into a free pass into my All-Decade Team. Which means sorry, Ken Bono. There were just too many better centers over the past 10 years.

Nonetheless, I think the following 15 players make up a pretty solid team which will measure up well against other All-Decade Teams.

All-Decade 1st Team:

Point Guard – LA Tenorio (ADMU 2001-2005) – Mike Cortez may have had better court vision and Marvin Cruz may have been more athletic, but for the overall package, I’m going with Ateneo spitfire LA Tenorio as the decade’s best UAAP point guard. Tenorio had the court smarts, the dribbling, and the passing, and he wasn’t afraid to take the big shot when needed. What’s more, he performed at a consistently high level almost all throughout his five-year UAAP career.

Shooting Guard – Renren Ritualo (DLSU 1997-2001) – A key figure in La Salle’s winning the decade’s first two championships, Ritualo was a cold-blooded shooter who, like Tenorio, was unafraid to take the big shot with the game on the line. He was so good that La Salle retired his jersey. How he never won an MVP award will remain one of the great UAAP mysteries.

Small Forward – James Yap (UE 2000-2003) – Big Game James could light up the scoreboard with his quick release and one-handed drives to the basket. The 2003 MVP led UE to the Final Four in each of his four seasons. Arguably the best player of the 2000s never to play in the finals.

Power Forward – Arwind Santos (FEU 2002-2005) – This guy is the only player in the 2000s to win the Rookie of the Year (2002), Defensive Player of the Year (2005) and MVP (2004, 2005), all while leading the FEU Tamaraws to two titles (okay, officially it’s three if you include the 2004 title awarded to them). A versatile all-around player who was routinely among the league leaders in points, rebounds, blocks and steals, Santos was clearly the best power forward of the 2000s.

Center – Enrico Villanueva (ADMU 1999-2003) – In picking the best at all five positions, the center proved to be the most difficult given the abundance of talented big men in the 2000s. In the end I went with 2002 MVP Enrico Villanueva because he was the best UAAP big man for the most number of seasons (three, from 2000 to 2002). To illustrate, Jervy Cruz played solidly from 2006 to 2008, but Bono was the better center in 2006 and Al-Hussaini was better in 2008. Villanueva would probably have won the MVP in 2001 if he hadn’t been suspended for a game and thus disqualified from the MVP race.

All-Decade 2nd Team:

Point Guard – Mike Cortez (DLSU 2000-2002) The Cool Cat was Rookie of the Year in 2000 and quarterbacked DLSU to the decade’s first two championships. The only reason he is on the second unit and not the first is because he played only three years, and he ended his UAAP career on a rather sour note. But when he was in his element, Cortez could break down a defense like no other point guard.

Shooting Guard – JV Casio (DLSU 2003-05, 2007-08) Casio was the best at coming off screens and burying jump shots. Even though he spent some time bringing up the ball, he was primarily a two guard who could it hit from any spot on the floor. His best season was in 2008 when he averaged 17.0 points a contest and was named to the Mythical Five for the second straight season. He was also Rookie of the Year in 2003.

Small Forward – Mac Cardona (DLSU 2001-2004) – The ultimate provocateur, Cardona was one of the best at playing mind games with his opponent. He could score and defend, too. The Rookie of the Year in 2001, Cardona was the leading scorer (15.8ppg) of DLSU’s 2004 squad that won it all on the floor but lost it in the board room thanks to the PEP Test scandal. He had that uncanny knack of putting the ball in the hole while shooting off odd body angles.

Power Forward – Rich Alvarez (ADMU 1999-2003) – Alvarez would have made it to my first five as the top power forward of the decade, if it weren’t for Arwind Santos. A two-time MVP like Santos, the six-four Blue Eagle also made the Mythical Five for three straight seasons (2000-2002).

Center – Jervy Cruz (UST 2006-2008) – Cruz played only three seasons, but averaged a double-double in all three of them while powering UST to the title in 2006. He was named MVP in 2007 after averaging 16.7 points and 15.4 boards, and capped off his short UAAP career by leading the league in scoring with 19.8ppg the following season.

All-Decade 3rd Team:

Point Guard – Paul Artadi (UE 1999-2003) – Artadi never led his team to the finals, nor did he win any major awards, but he was the steady and reliable quarterback of a UE team that made the Final Four in three of four seasons this decade.

Shooting Guard – Chris Tiu (ADMU 2003-04, 2006-08) – Tiu got off to a slow start, averaging less than five points a game in his first two seasons. After skipping the 2005 season to study abroad, he came back a better player, making the Mythical Five in 2007 and 2008 and capping his UAAP career by skippering Ateneo to the ’08 title.

Small Forward – Dylan Ababou (UST 2005-2009) The decade’s last MVP, Ababou was a picture of consistency for UST, starting off as a reliable scorer off the bench before ending his UAAP career with a league-best 18.9 ppg.

Power Forward – Rico Maierhofer (DLSU 2004-2008) – Although he also spent some time playing center, I’m placing Maierhofer at power forward in my list primarily because he was named to the Mythical five in each of his last two seasons as a forward. It was just unfortunate he had to end his collegiate career getting ejected from his final game as a Green Archer. In his last season he averaged 13.1 points and 10.1 rebounds.

Center – Rabeh Al-Hussaini (ADMU 2005-2009) – Al-Hussaini was the best center in the UAAP the past two years, and was the surprise MVP winner in 2008. But he’s only third team in my list because he was a just so-so big man during his first three seasons.

NCAA

Mike: If I were to coach a team that can go at the best of them in any league in this decade, in this era of quickness and athleticism, this is the team that I’d like to go to war with. My choices were based on size, athleticism, with the guard and forward spot that can play multiple positions with an excellent perimeter game.

Guards

Ronjay Enrile
Ogie Menor
Pong Escobal
Jason Castro
RJ Jazul

Forwards

Sunday Salvacion
Leo Najorda
Kelvin De La Pena
Ernani Epondulan
John Wilson

Centers

Gabby Espinas
Sam Ekwe
Mark Andaya
James Sena

Chris: In selecting these 15 players, different considerations were met. Emphasis, of course, was given to those who garnered Most Valuable Player awards (eight out of the ten MVPs this decade are listed, only Jojo Manalo and Ernani Epondulan did not make the cut) and/or Mythical Five selections. However, some of the cagers who never won MVP plums made it because of the roles they played in building the programs of their schools, along with on-court prowess that was not recognized (e.g. Bautista and Jazul of Letran and Misa of Perpetual Help).

All-Decade First Five

Sam Ekwe (SBC, 2006-08) – Also my Player of the Decade, Ekwe became the face of San Beda’s return to the big time. His skills on both sides of the floor, coupled with that intimidating presence down low, catapulted the Red Lions to three straight titles, their first three-peat since 1934-1936, and changed the way recruiting was undertaken.

Gabby Espinas (PCU, 2004-06) – Espinas, the league’s first-ever MVP and ROY in the same season, became the face of PCU hoops up until its troubled exit from the league. Espinas put grace and power in the same package, one that a lot of defenders found hard to deal with.

Sunday Salvacion (CSB, 1999-2002) – Just like Espinas and Ekwe, Salvacion led the renaissance that was Benilde basketball early in the decade. In just his second season, he led CSB to the NCAA’s Promised Land, and feted himself with an MVP plum (2002) thanks to his dead-eye and clutch sniping.

RJ Jazul (CSJL, 2005-09) – An MVP award may have eluded him, but Jazul will surely come down as one of the deadliest shooters in NCAA history. Towards the end of his collegiate career, Jazul carried a couple of not-so-talented teams to the Final Four on his shoulders, and struck fear into opposing defenses, which adjusted to him (and him alone).

Jason Castro (PCU, 2003-06) – Just when everyone thought height was might, Castro’s speed and gung-ho attitude gave PCU that weapon nobody knew exactly how to match up with. A triple threat (slasher, shooter and passer) on offense, Castro was simply incredible to watch.

All-Decade Second Five

Leo Najorda (SSC-R, 2002-05) – San Sebastian may have had one of its poorer decades, but Najorda was a vital cog in its 2002 title team. The only Finals MVP to come from the losing team (2003), his power and knack for hitting the mid-range jumper ushered in a line of lanky big men who could post up and shoot at the same time.

Yousif Aljamal (SBC, 2004-07) – Aljamal’s ability to draw opposing big men outside opened the floor for both San Beda’s power game and lair of shooters. When needed, he also proved he was a weapon himself, as he led the league in scoring in 2007 to help power San Beda to its second title this decade.

Pong Escobal (SBC, 2006-08) – Escobal’s value to the talent-laden San Beda squads of the late 2000s was his leadership and basketball smarts. Also a deadly assassin late in the game, he was the brain behind the brawn that was Mendiola.

Kelvin Dela Peña (MIT, 2005-08) – This Fil-Canadian was the diamond in the rough for the highly underachieving Cardinal units of the late 2000s. Another triple threat on offense, dela Peña also redefined versatility with the ability to play three positions effectively.

Khiel Misa (UPHSD, 2003-06) – Being part of a program that gets virtually no attention is difficult to begin with, but Misa was a key cog on a team the “almost” team that was the Altas. A deadeye scorer, Misa played beyond his size and was a tireless worker.

All-Decade Third Five

Jay Sagad (CSB, 2002-05) – Perhaps the most underrated MVP in league history, Sagad was power personified, and one of the few talented back-down, post-up players of the decade.

Al Magpayo (CSB, 2000-03) – Magpayo, the 2000 Rookie of the Year, never disappointed in a modest college career. His length and athleticism gave CSB that defensive weapon that transformed the shaded lane into a virtual no-fly zone.

Ogie Menor (SBC, 2005-08) – A hyped rookie out of high school, Menor will be remembered as the major scorer who never backed down from any kind of defense.

John Wilson (JRU, 2006-present) – Wilson is one of the most complete players of the decade. A killer on both sides of the floor, he is by far one of the most tireless competitors in the NCAA.

Boyet Bautista (CSJL, 2002-06) – Alas’ extension on the floor, Bautista is arguably the smartest point guard the decade has seen.

7. PLAYER OF THE DECADE

UAAP
Charlie: My Player of the Decade would be Arwind Santos. I was always a fan since he first came into the league, especially because he played a “non-flashy” brand of ball, but was effective on both ends of the floor. I would have said Renren Ritualo, but he played into the decade from the previous one (‘97-‘01).

Sid: Based on my criteria – consistency, post-season success, championships won, and individual accolades – Arwind Santos was clearly the UAAP Player of the Decade in my book. He was an outstanding player on both ends of the court, and he was the best player on FEU’s champion teams. He also won every major individual award there was to win.

NCAA
Mike: Sam Ekwe. A physical specimen, a shot blocking demon. Defense is simply the key to winning championships and Sam proved this philosophy once more when he made it his mission to help the Red Lions win 3 championships by mainly protecting the pain

Chris: Sam Ekwe (SBC 2006-08) (see All-Mythical selection)

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