Who Are the PBA Players With the Most 3 Points Made in League History?

As I was digging through PBA archives the other day, I stumbled upon something that got me thinking - who are the real three-point kings in league history? Now, I've been following Philippine basketball for over two decades, and I've got to say, the evolution of the three-point shot has been absolutely fascinating to watch. When I first started covering games in the early 2000s, players would occasionally take those long bombs, but it wasn't the strategic weapon it is today. Fast forward to modern PBA, and you'll see teams launching from downtown like it's going out of style.

Let me tell you about Jimmy Alapag - this guy was something special. When I look at the all-time three-point leaders, his name sits right up there with 1,232 career threes. I remember watching him during the 2011 Commissioner's Cup finals, where he hit seven three-pointers in a single game. The way he'd catch and release in that smooth motion - it was pure artistry. What made Alapag particularly dangerous was his ability to hit big shots in crucial moments. I've lost count of how many times I saw him silence opposing crowds with those deep bombs when the game was on the line. His percentage might not have been the highest at around 35% for his career, but his volume and timing were what set him apart.

Then there's Allan Caidic, the man they called "The Triggerman." Now, I never got to see him play live during his prime, but watching old footage, you can immediately understand why he's legendary. He retired with 1,082 three-pointers, but here's what blows my mind - he did it in an era where the three-point line was farther and defenses were much more physical. I've spoken with older coaches who still shake their heads remembering games where Caidic would hit five or six threes in a row. His career three-point percentage of nearly 40% is just insane when you consider the defensive rules of his time. Personally, I think if Caidic played in today's game with the current spacing and faster pace, he'd probably average five or six threes per game easily.

James Yap brings a different flavor to this conversation. With 1,012 three-pointers and counting, "Big Game James" has this uncanny ability to make difficult shots look routine. I've had the privilege of covering many of his games, and what always impressed me was his footwork leading into those three-point attempts. He doesn't need much space to get his shot off, and his high release point makes it nearly impossible to block. What's interesting about Yap's three-point shooting is how it's evolved over his career. Early on, he was more of a mid-range specialist, but as the game changed, he adapted and extended his range beautifully.

Now, this discussion about three-point specialists reminds me of the current challenges some teams face with roster depth. I was reading about how Cebu had problems with its players under new management and even ended up competing with just six players at one point. Can you imagine trying to maintain three-point shooting efficiency when you're basically playing short-handed? It really puts into perspective how crucial depth and proper management are for sustaining shooting performance throughout a season. When teams are dealing with roster issues like Cebu experienced, the three-point shooting often suffers first because players are too fatigued to maintain proper shooting form late in games.

Looking at the modern PBA, what fascinates me is how the three-point shot has become democratized. It's not just the specialists anymore - even big men are expected to stretch the floor. I was analyzing recent games and noticed that teams are now averaging around 25-30 three-point attempts per game, compared to maybe 15-20 a decade ago. The game has fundamentally changed, and I have mixed feelings about it. While I love the excitement of a deep three, I sometimes miss the post play and mid-range game that dominated earlier eras.

As I reflect on these shooting greats, what stands out to me isn't just their numbers but their impact on how the game is played today. Players like Alapag didn't just make threes - they changed defensive schemes and forced coaches to rethink their strategies. I remember talking to one coach who told me they had to develop entirely new close-out techniques specifically because of shooters like Alapag. That's the real legacy of these three-point kings - they didn't just put up numbers, they transformed Philippine basketball.

The future of three-point shooting in the PBA looks bright, but I worry that the art of shooting is being lost in the volume. Today's players are taking more difficult, contested threes rather than working for the open looks that defined the games of Caidic and Alapag. Still, when I see young players studying footage of these legends, it gives me hope that the fundamental beauty of great shooting won't be completely lost to statistical optimization. At the end of the day, there's something magical about watching a perfectly executed three-pointer - the arc, the rotation, the swish - that statistics can never fully capture, and that's why we'll always remember these shooting masters.