Philippine Dynasties: The best PBA teams of the 2010s

At the start of the 2010s, the PBA saw the massive shift of teams winning titles in the latter half of the 2000s take its full form with the San Miguel Beermen and Talk ‘N Text franchises dominating much of the new decade.

From the rise of San Miguel’s modern-day powerhouse to the resurgence of Barangay Ginebra’s crowd-fueled glory, the league saw its most competitive and star-studded era yet.

It was a time when legends like June Mar Fajardo, Jayson Castro, and LA Tenorio cemented their legacies, while franchises like Talk ’N Text, San Mig Coffee, and San Miguel Beer carved out championship runs that shaped the league’s modern history. 

In a decade that shifted to the modern era that has shaped the league today, here are the most successful:

1. Petron Blaze Boosters/San Miguel Beermen – 9 Championships

The San Miguel franchise changed dramatically in the early 2010s, replacing the iconic colors of red and white with the simple yet elegant white and blue. The Petron Blaze Boosters shaped the first half of the decade for San Miguel, capturing a Governors’ Cup title in the 2010 season with most of the last decade’s roster intact.

Petron failed to capture any titles after three seasons, resulting in the return of the Beermen in the start of the 2014-2015 season. In their return, led by a young and dominant June Mar Fajardo, they captured the Philippine Cup as well as reclaimed the Governors’ Cup crown.

Under head coach Leo Austria, San Miguel established an era of sustained excellence. Leading the charge was Fajardo, the gentle giant from Cebu who would go on to become the face of the franchise and a six-time PBA Most Valuable Player. Fajardo’s dominance in the paint, paired with the deadly perimeter shooting of Marcio Lassiter and Alex Cabagnot, created one of the most complete lineups the league had ever seen.

Complemented by the energy of Arwind Santos, the clutch brilliance of Chris Ross, and later, the versatility of CJ Perez, the Beermen became synonymous with excellence. The “Death Five” lineup of Fajardo, Santos, Lassiter, Cabagnot, and Ross became legendary for their chemistry and ability to dominate in crunch time.

From 2015 to 2019, they captured five straight Philippine Cup titles, a record-setting run that firmly etched their name among the all-time great PBA dynasties. Not to mention the unforgettable “Beeracle” in the 2016 Philippine Cup Finals that cemented them as the league’s comeback kings.

San Miguel defined what it meant to be a championship-caliber team in the 2010s, and by the end of the decade, the Beermen had not only amassed multiple titles but also restored their status as the league’s premier powerhouse and a symbol of sustained dominance that carried the PBA’s competitive spirit into the modern era.

FINALS MVP! 🏆
June Mar Fajardo is the greatest PBA player of all-time!

🏆 x9 PBA Champion
🏆 x6 PBA MVP
🏆 x4 PBA Finals MVP
🏆 x9 PBA BPC
🏆 x7 PBA All Star
🏆 x8 PBA Mythical Team
🏆 x5 PBA Defensive Team
🏆 x1 PBA DPOY
🏆 x1 PBA Most Improved

📸: PBA / San Miguel Beermen pic.twitter.com/4o0jhwmgXl

— Hoopjunkie (@hoopjunkie_ph) September 4, 2022

2. Talk ‘N Text – 7 Championships

The 2010s marked a golden era for the Talk ’N Text franchise. It was the decade where the franchise cemented its reputation as one of the PBA’s true dynasties. With a combination of elite talent, veteran leadership, and a winning system, TNT consistently stood atop the league’s hierarchy, collecting titles and contending year after year.

Under the guidance of head coaches Chot Reyes and, later, Norman Black, the Tropang Texters built a championship culture defined by discipline and explosive firepower. The early part of the decade saw TNT dominate the All-Filipino stage, capturing three straight Philippine Cup titles from 2010 to 2013.

At the heart of their success were franchise pillars Jayson Castro, the lightning-quick floor general hailed as “The Blur,” and Ranidel de Ocampo, whose versatility and clutch shooting became the edge of TNT’s system to other teams. They were supported by reliable teammates like Jimmy Alapag, Kelly Williams, Ryan Reyes, and Larry Fonacier. 

Even as rosters evolved, TNT remained a perennial contender, transitioning seamlessly into a new era with stars like Troy Rosario, RR Pogoy, and Mikey Williams emerging toward the decade’s close. 

TNT’s dominance in the 2010s defined them as one of the PBA’s most consistent and respected franchises and a team that set the standard for excellence year after year.

3. B-Meg Llamados/San Mig Coffee/Purefoods Hotshots – 6 Championships

Few teams in PBA history have defined grit, chemistry, and championship poise quite like the Magnolia Hotshots of the 2010s. 

From their unforgettable Grand Slam run under coach Tim Cone to their continued competitiveness through the decade’s close, the Hotshots established themselves as one of the league’s most enduring and successful franchises.

The early 2010s marked the rise of the San Mig Coffee Mixers. With James Yap as the franchise cornerstone and Marc Pingris anchoring the defense, the Mixers developed a tough, unselfish identity that perfectly fit Tim Cone’s triangle offense.

Their run from 2013 to 2014 became the stuff of legend after winning the Philippine Cup, Commissioner’s Cup, and Governors’ Cup in one season to complete only the fifth Grand Slam in PBA history.

PJ Simon delivered reliable scoring off the bench, Mark Barroca emerged as one of the league’s best two-way guards, while Joe Devance and Rafi Reavis provided versatility and leadership. 

After Cone’s departure, Magnolia entered a period of transition but never lost its competitive edge. Under coach Chito Victolero, the Hotshots found new life with Paul Lee, Ian Sangalang, and Jio Jalalon leading a younger core. In 2018, they reclaimed championship glory by capturing the Governors’ Cup, their last championship to date. 

4. Barangay Ginebra San Miguel – 5 Championships

For Barangay Ginebra San Miguel, the 2010s marked a renaissance. It was a decade that saw the country’s most beloved basketball team rise from years of frustration to reclaim its place atop the PBA throne. 

After a long title drought in the early years of the decade, Ginebra’s fortunes changed in 2016 with the arrival of coach Tim Cone, the winningest coach in PBA history. Cone brought structure and discipline to a team overflowing with talent, and the results were immediate. 

That same year, Ginebra ended an eight-year championship drought by capturing the 2016 Governors’ Cup, thanks to a clutch, buzzer-beating triple from Justin Brownlee that instantly became one of the most iconic moments in PBA history and cemented the import in Philippine basketball lore.

From there, the Kings reestablished themselves as perennial contenders. LA Tenorio’s leadership at point guard, Scottie Thompson’s relentless hustle, and Japeth Aguilar’s athletic dominance became the cornerstones of Ginebra’s modern era alongside Brownlee’s continued brilliance as their resident import, adding stability and star power, turning Ginebra into a powerhouse in both local and import-laden conferences.

The team’s chemistry and championship culture flourished, capturing additional titles in 2017 (Governors’ Cup), 2018 (Commissioner’s Cup), and 2019 (Governors’ Cup). Each victory reflected a team that had not only rediscovered its winning ways but also reconnected with its legendary fan base, the Ginebra faithful, who packed arenas across the country.

By the end of the decade, Barangay Ginebra had transformed from a struggling contender into one of the most dominant and consistent teams in the PBA. The 2010s proved that “Never Say Die” wasn’t just a slogan.

5. Rain or Shine – 2 Championships

The 2010s saw the Rain or Shine Elasto Painters emerge as one of the PBA’s most resilient and respected franchises.. In an era dominated by dynasties, Rain or Shine carved out its own legacy as the league’s ultimate underdog-turned-champion.

Under the leadership of head coach Yeng Guiao, the Elasto Painters built a reputation for defensive tenacity and emotional fire. They were never the most glamorous team, but they were often the hardest to beat, anchored by franchise pillars Paul Lee, Jeff Chan, Beau Belga, Gabe Norwood, and JR Quiñahan.

Their first taste of glory came in the 2012 Governors’ Cup, where Rain or Shine captured its first-ever PBA championship, defeating the B-Meg Llamados in a hard-fought series. They followed it up with another title in the 2016 Commissioner’s Cup, outlasting Alaska in a thrilling seven-game series, cementing their status as perennial contenders.

Beyond their titles, Rain or Shine became known for their consistency. Year after year, they were fixtures in the semifinals, capable of challenging the league’s elite teams like San Miguel, Ginebra, and Talk ’N Text. Even after Guiao’s departure, the Elasto Painters maintained their competitive edge, continuing to develop young talents and staying true to their blue-collar brand of basketball.

The 2010s will be remembered as the decade Rain or Shine proved that heart and hard work can build champions. They may not have boasted a superstar-laden lineup, but through grit, discipline, and unshakeable identity, the Elasto Painters became one of the defining fan favorites of the PBA’s modern era.

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