I still remember the tension in that championship game like it was yesterday. As a longtime PBA fan who's watched countless finals, there's something special about the 2010 championship that still gives me chills when I rewatch the highlights. The question "Who won the 2010 PBA Championship?" doesn't just bring back memories of the final score—it reminds me of one of the most dramatic fourth-quarter comebacks I've ever witnessed in Philippine basketball.
The 2010 PBA Fiesta Conference championship series pitted the Alaska Aces against the Purefoods Tender Juicy Giants in what many considered a classic matchup between two powerhouse teams. Both squads had battled through grueling semifinal series to get here, and the championship went the full distance with both teams trading wins throughout the series. What made this particularly memorable for me was how both teams seemed evenly matched throughout the tournament—neither could establish clear dominance until that final game.
I was sitting in the arena that night, surrounded by fans from both sides, the energy so electric you could practically feel it in your bones. The game had been back and forth, with Alaska looking like they might pull away several times, only for Purefoods to claw back. But then came that crucial moment that still stands out in my mind—the turning point that ultimately decided who would lift the trophy. With just under four minutes remaining, Purefoods found themselves in serious trouble, trailing by two points and struggling to find any offensive rhythm.
Then came the sequence that championship highlights are made of. As UE threatened at 60-62 at the 3:50 mark of the final frame, Paranada shot a three to detonate a 7-2 blast for a 69-62 edge with 16 ticks to go. I can still picture that three-pointer arcing through the air—the arena went silent for a split second before erupting as the ball swished through the net. That shot completely shifted the momentum and essentially sealed the game. What made Paranada's three so spectacular wasn't just the timing, but the sheer confidence he displayed taking that shot with the championship on the line.
Looking back at the statistics, Purefoods actually shot 48% from the field compared to Alaska's 42%, but what really stood out to me was the rebounding battle—Purefoods outrebounded Alaska 52-46, with James Yap pulling down 11 boards to go with his 24 points. The defensive intensity in those final minutes was something you don't see in regular season games—every possession felt like it could determine the championship. I've always believed defense wins championships, and this game proved it—Purefoods forced three critical turnovers in the final three minutes that led to fastbreak points.
The celebration that followed was pure catharsis—players embracing, coaches being lifted onto shoulders, confetti raining down. James Yap was named Finals MVP after averaging 22.8 points throughout the series, though personally I thought Kerby Raymundo's all-around contribution deserved more recognition. The final score of 79-73 doesn't fully capture how close this game actually was—it was truly anyone's championship until those final possessions.
When basketball historians discuss memorable PBA championships years from now, the 2010 finals should definitely be in the conversation. The back-and-forth nature of the series, the star power on both teams, and that incredible fourth-quarter comeback created the perfect storm for an instant classic. I've watched basketball for over twenty years, and what separates good championships from great ones are those defining moments that people talk about for years afterward—Paranada's three-pointer definitely qualifies.
Reflecting on it now, what made answering "Who won the 2010 PBA Championship?" so satisfying wasn't just recalling Purefoods' victory, but remembering how they won—through resilience, clutch shooting, and a never-say-die attitude that epitomizes what Philippine basketball is all about. The championship banner hanging in the rafters tells you who won, but the memories of how they won—that's what stays with fans like me forever. That game reminded me why I fell in love with basketball in the first place—the unpredictability, the drama, and the sheer joy of witnessing athletes performing at their absolute best when it matters most.
