When I look back at the 2016 PBA imports landscape, what strikes me most is how dramatically the league’s approach to foreign players shifted that year. I remember watching the Commissioner’s Cup and thinking—this isn’t the same PBA I grew up with. Teams weren’t just bringing in big names; they were recruiting imports with specific roles, often favoring versatility over raw scoring. That season, we saw a clear pivot toward two-way players who could defend multiple positions, orchestrate offense, and still drop 25 points if needed. It’s interesting to reflect on this now, especially in light of the recent news about the 2023 Invitationals champions having to withdraw from the tournament as investigations begin. That situation reminds me how much roster stability—or the lack of it—can shape a team’s identity, something that was equally true back in 2016.
One trend that stood out to me was the decline of the traditional “super scorer” import. I recall talking to coaches and team managers that year, and the consensus was shifting: having one guy average 35 points wasn’t enough if he couldn’t get stops on the other end. Teams like San Miguel Beermen and Alaska Aces opted for players like AZ Reid and Rob Dozier—guys who had PBA experience, understood the physicality of the league, and didn’t need 30 shots to make an impact. Reid, for instance, averaged around 28 points and 12 rebounds, but what made him special was his ability to facilitate. He wasn’t just a volume shooter; he made everyone around him better. That kind of import became the gold standard in 2016, and honestly, I think it raised the overall quality of the league.
Another thing that caught my attention was the emphasis on familiarity. It felt like half the imports that season had already played in the PBA before. Teams weren’t taking as many risks on unknown commodities from Europe or the NBA D-League. Instead, they leaned on guys who knew the pace, the referees, even the travel grind. I remember chatting with a team official who told me they’d rather sign a “known quantity” even if his ceiling was lower, because the adjustment period was shorter. That’s why you saw players like Denzel Bowles and Peter June Simon making returns—they were almost plug-and-play. In hindsight, that strategy made a lot of sense. Why gamble on a high-upside stranger when you can get someone who’s already proven they can perform under PBA conditions?
The globalization of talent sourcing also became more evident. While American imports still dominated, we started seeing more players from other backgrounds—like Nigerian-American Ola Ashaolu or Jamaican Jameel McKay. They brought different styles of play, something I found refreshing. McKay, for example, was an athletic big who could switch on defense and finish above the rim. He wasn’t your typical low-post bruiser, and that versatility gave his team, the Rain or Shine Elasto Painters, a distinct edge. I’d argue that 2016 was the year the PBA imports pool truly began to reflect global basketball trends, not just NBA leftovers.
Of course, not every experiment worked. I vividly recall Justin Brownlee’s arrival toward the end of the season—he was relatively unknown then, but he quickly became a fan favorite because of his unselfish play. On the flip side, some teams took chances on players with impressive resumes who just didn’t fit. One import, who shall remain nameless, came in with G-League credentials but struggled with the physicality and ended up being replaced after just three games. That’s the thing about imports—it’s not always about talent; it’s about fit, timing, and sometimes plain luck.
What’s fascinating is how these trends from 2016 seem to echo in today’s PBA landscape. The recent situation with the 2023 Invitationals champions—forced to withdraw amid investigations—highlights how fragile team planning can be. Back in 2016, we saw how quickly a team’s fortunes could change based on their import’s performance or availability. I remember talking to coaches who said finding the right import was 60% of their championship equation. It’s no different now. If you don’t have a reliable import who buys into the system, even the most talented local roster can fall short.
Looking back, 2016 was a transitional year. The PBA was slowly moving away from the “one-man show” model and embracing more balanced, team-oriented imports. We saw fewer 40-point explosions and more all-around contributions. Personally, I loved that shift—it made games more strategic and less predictable. And as the league continues to evolve, I hope they keep that lesson in mind: an import shouldn’t just fill up the stat sheet; he should make the entire team better. Because at the end of the day, that’s what separates a good import from a legendary one.
