Who Truly Holds the Title for Best 3 Pointer in PBA History?

As I sit here watching old PBA highlight reels, that question keeps bouncing around in my head: who truly deserves the title of best three-point shooter in PBA history? You'd think it would be straightforward, but the more games I rewatch, the more complicated the answer becomes. I've spent countless hours analyzing stats, revisiting classic moments, and debating with fellow basketball enthusiasts, and I'm convinced this isn't just about numbers—it's about legacy, clutch performances, and that intangible "it" factor that separates good shooters from legendary ones.

The Philippine Basketball Association has seen some absolutely phenomenal shooters since the three-point line was introduced back in the 1993 season. I remember watching those early games where players were still figuring out the shot's strategic value. It wasn't just about making threes; it was about changing how the game was played entirely. The arc forced defenses to stretch, created driving lanes, and transformed late-game situations. Over the decades, we've witnessed shooters who didn't just take threes—they weaponized them. From the pioneering days of Allan Caidic to modern masters like James Yap and Marcio Lassiter, each era brought its own three-point specialists who left their mark on the game.

When we talk about pure shooting percentage, the numbers point strongly toward Allan Caidic, and honestly, I'm inclined to agree. The man was a machine—his career 38.5% from beyond the arc across 13 seasons is just ridiculous when you consider the era he played in. I've watched his 17 three-pointer game against Ginebra more times than I can count, and it still gives me chills. That 79-point performance wasn't just scoring; it was artistry. But here's where it gets tricky—was Caidic the most impactful three-point shooter, or just the most accurate? See, this is where my personal bias might show, but I've always valued playoff performance over regular season stats. The hard part was putting together that championship bout where every possession matters, where defenses are tighter, and where one three-pointer can define a legacy. Caidic certainly had his moments, but when I look at championship games, another name keeps popping up: Jimmy Alapag. The Mighty Mouse didn't have Caidic's pure percentage, but my goodness, his threes always seemed to come when Talk 'N Text needed them most. I'll never forget his six three-pointers in Game 6 of the 2013 Commissioner's Cup finals—each one felt like a dagger straight to the opponent's heart.

Then there's the evolution argument that I find fascinating. Modern shooters like Marcio Lassiter are operating in a completely different strategic landscape. The game is faster, defenses are more sophisticated, and the three-pointer has become a primary weapon rather than a supplementary one. Lassiter's record 298 career three-pointers at 39.2% efficiency is statistically superior to Caidic's numbers, but can we really compare across eras? This is where I might ruffle some feathers, but I don't think we can. The training, the analytics, the shot selection—everything has changed so dramatically. What Caidic did with less advanced coaching and training facilities might actually be more impressive when you really think about it.

Let me share something from my own playing days—back in college, I was a decent shooter, but nothing special. What I learned was that making threes in practice is one thing; making them when the game is on the line is entirely different. That's why when I evaluate these PBA greats, I put enormous weight on their performances in elimination games and finals. James Yap might not have the highest career three-point percentage at around 34%, but tell me you weren't terrified when he caught the ball beyond the arc in a playoff game. The man had this incredible ability to rise to the occasion that statistics can't fully capture.

The discussion inevitably leads to international play too. How these shooters performed against global competition tells us something about their true caliber. Here, I'd argue Alapag separates himself somewhat. His shooting against taller, quicker international defenders during Gilas Pilipinas campaigns demonstrated an adaptability that I'm not sure all the great PBA shooters possessed. That corner three against South Korea in the 2013 FIBA Asia Championship? That wasn't just a shot—that was a moment that changed Philippine basketball.

After all this analysis, here's where I land: if you put a gun to my head and forced me to choose, I'd give the slight edge to Allan Caidic, but with the important caveat that "best" means different things to different people. Caidic's combination of volume, accuracy, and pioneering influence gives him the nod in my book, though I completely understand arguments for Alapag's clutch gene or Lassiter's modern efficiency. The beautiful thing about basketball is that these debates never really end—they're part of what makes the sport so compelling. Every generation will have its shooters, its moments, and its arguments about who was truly the greatest. And you know what? I wouldn't have it any other way.