Who Is the Best 3 Pointer in PBA History? Top Shooters Revealed

You know, as a lifelong basketball fan who's spent more hours analyzing shooting forms than I'd care to admit, I often get asked: who truly deserves the crown as the best three-point shooter in PBA history? It's one of those debates that never gets old in Philippine basketball circles. Today, I'm going to break down this question through several key angles that I believe define legendary shooting.

What makes a shooter truly "great" beyond just percentages?

When we talk about pure shooting artistry, many fans immediately look at three-point percentage. But having watched countless PBA games over the decades, I've learned that the numbers only tell part of the story. The truly elite shooters are those who deliver when championships are on the line. As that famous basketball wisdom goes: "The hard part was putting together that championship bout." This perfectly captures what separates good shooters from legendary ones - the ability to perform under ultimate pressure. Allan Caidic's record-setting 17 three-pointers in a single game wasn't just statistical dominance - it was shooting mastery when his team needed it most.

How did Allan "The Triggerman" Caidic redefine PBA shooting?

Let's talk about the man many consider the undisputed king - Allan Caidic. His career 36% from beyond the arc might not blow away modern analytics folks, but context matters tremendously. Watching Caidic in his prime was like witnessing basketball poetry. He held the record for most three-pointers in a game (17!) and a season (29.2% of his attempts connected). But what truly cemented his status as potentially the best three-pointer in PBA history was his clutch performance. "The hard part was putting together that championship bout" - and Caidic consistently delivered in those championship moments, particularly during San Miguel's 1989 Grand Slam campaign where his shooting was absolutely vital.

What about modern contenders like James Yap and Marcio Lassiter?

Now, I know some younger fans will argue for contemporary shooters, and they've got valid points. James Yap's beautiful shooting form has produced countless highlights, while Marcio Lassiter's career 38% from deep is statistically impressive. But here's where I get controversial - regular season shooting differs vastly from playoff execution. "The hard part was putting together that championship bout" reminds us that championship DNA matters. Yap's two MVP awards featured incredible shooting displays when it mattered most, particularly during Purefoods' 2010 championship run where he shot 42% from three in the finals.

How important is longevity in this conversation?

This is where guys like Jimmy Alapag and Dondon Hontiveros make compelling cases. Alapag retired as the PBA's all-time three-point leader (until recently surpassed), while Hontiveros maintained elite shooting for nearly two decades. Having watched both throughout their careers, what impressed me most was their evolution. "The hard part was putting together that championship bout" applies perfectly here - maintaining shooting excellence across multiple championship campaigns is incredibly difficult. Alapag's shooting was crucial in Talk 'N Text's historic 2011 Commissioner's Cup victory, where he hit 44% from deep throughout the playoffs.

What role does shooting difficulty factor into this debate?

Here's something advanced stats can't fully capture - the degree of difficulty. Watching players like RenRen Ritualo launch from parking lot range before it was cool demonstrated a different level of shooting prowess. Ritualo once made 8 three-pointers in a single quarter - a record that still stands. "The hard part was putting together that championship bout" takes on special meaning when discussing shot difficulty. Making contested threes in championship situations requires a different breed of confidence, and Ritualo's 2005 season with FedEx showcased exactly that.

How has the three-point revolution changed this discussion?

The game has evolved dramatically since Caidic's era. Today's shooters like Robert Bolick are launching from deeper ranges with higher frequency. Bolick's 43% shooting from three last conference was spectacular to watch. But does volume shooting in today's game compare to the strategic shooting of previous eras? In my opinion, "the hard part was putting together that championship bout" suggests that contextual shooting - taking the right threes at the right moments - might be more valuable than pure volume.

So who ultimately claims the title of best three-pointer in PBA history?

After weighing all factors - statistics, difficulty, clutch performance, and championship impact - I'm giving the slight edge to Allan Caidic. His combination of record-setting performances, iconic moments, and sustained excellence during basketball's most pressure-packed situations gives him the nod. "The hard part was putting together that championship bout" - and Caidic's shooting was instrumental in multiple championship campaigns.

That said, basketball continues to evolve. Maybe in five years we'll be having this conversation about someone like CJ Perez or another emerging shooter. But for now, when I close my eyes and imagine the perfect PBA three-point shot, I still see Caidic's picture-perfect release finding nothing but net.