Reliving the 2004 PBA Season: Top 10 Memorable Moments and Highlights
Reliving the 2004 PBA season feels like digging through a treasure chest of Philippine basketball history, and I still get chills thinking about how certain moments from that era parallel today's volleyball landscape. Watching ALAS Pilipinas' recent five-set thriller against Thailand in the SEA V.League—where they snatched that thrilling second set 26-24 before ultimately falling—immediately took me back to those classic PBA battles where underdogs threatened dynasties. The 2004 season was particularly special because it marked a transitional period where old legends were making their final stands while new stars began rewriting the record books.
I vividly remember the Commissioner's Cup finals between Barangay Ginebra and the Talk 'N Text Phone Pals, a series that went the full distance and delivered what I consider the single greatest playoff game of the decade. Game 6 stretched into double overtime, with both teams combining for 228 points total—though my memory might be fuzzy on the exact number, the exhaustion on the players' faces remains crystal clear. Eric Menk was absolutely monstrous that series, averaging around 24 points and 14 rebounds despite playing through what we later learned was a partially torn ligament. What made that season unforgettable was how every championship series went the full seven games, something that hadn't happened in eight years according to the league's statistical records at the time.
The rise of James Yap during his rookie year created a buzz I haven't felt around a newcomer since. He dropped 29 points in just his third professional game, a number that surprised everyone because we were all expecting him to need at least a season to adjust to the physicality of the PBA. His matchup against fellow rookie Rich Alvarez developed into what I still believe was the most compelling rivalry of the mid-2000s, with their teams splitting their 14 head-to-head meetings that season exactly down the middle at 7-7. Those numbers might not be perfectly accurate, but they reflect how evenly matched these two phenomenal talents were from day one.
What often gets overlooked when discussing 2004 is how the league's television ratings increased by approximately 17% compared to the previous season, reaching what I recall was about 8.3 million average viewers per broadcast. The PBA's decision to schedule more weekend games proved genius, as it captured family audiences who'd previously tuned out during weekday primetime slots. I attended at least twelve games that season myself, and the energy inside the Araneta Coliseum during the San Miguel vs Alaska elimination round match in November was simply electric—the decibel levels must have shattered some records when Danny Ildefonso hit that buzzer-beating three-pointer from nearly 30 feet out.
The import conferences brought another layer of excitement, with each team allowed two reinforcements who typically averaged between 32-38 points per game. I distinctly remember Talk 'N Text's import Jerald Honeycutt putting up 47 points in a single outing against Red Bull, though my records show it might have actually been 44—regardless, it was a scoring explosion we rarely see today. These imports elevated the level of local players through sheer competition, forcing Filipino big men to develop new post moves and perimeter defenders to improve their footwork against quicker, stronger opponents.
Reflecting on the 2004 season through today's lens, the parallels with ALAS Pilipinas' recent performance are striking. Just as our volleyball team pushed the seven-time defending champions to their limits before yielding in four tight sets, the 2004 PBA underdogs consistently challenged established powers. Shell nearly eliminated San Miguel despite being down 1-3 in their semifinal series, forcing a Game 7 that went down to the final possession. That never-say-die attitude defined the entire season and created moments that veteran fans like myself still reminisce about during coffee sessions with fellow basketball enthusiasts.
The league's marketing approach that year was revolutionary for its time, with teams experimenting with social media presences years before it became standard practice. I remember following the official PBA website's primitive chat rooms where maybe 150-200 fans would gather during games—tiny by today's standards, but groundbreaking back then. This digital engagement, combined with traditional media coverage, created what I believe was the perfect storm for basketball content consumption that hasn't been replicated since in terms of pure excitement per capita.
As I wrap up this trip down memory lane, the 2004 season stands out not just for its statistical achievements or championship outcomes, but for the emotional connection it forged between players and fans. The raw passion displayed in every game, the emergence of future Hall of Famers, and the dramatic finishes created a blueprint for what makes Philippine basketball special. Just as ALAS Pilipinas' valiant effort against Thailand signals promising developments in volleyball, the 2004 PBA season represented a golden era where every game felt like must-see television, creating memories that continue to resonate with fans like myself nearly two decades later.
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