I still remember the 2018 PBA D-League season like it was yesterday, and honestly, it remains one of the most emotionally charged tournaments I've ever covered. What made it special wasn't just the raw talent on display—though there was plenty of that—but the sheer resilience teams showed when their backs were against the wall. I recall talking to one coach who perfectly captured the spirit of that season when he said, "Ginawa naming motivation. Kasi kung sino na lang yung natira, dun lang kami." That phrase, "We made it our motivation because we only had who was left," became the unofficial mantra for several squads that year. It wasn't about having the deepest roster; it was about making the most of what you had, and that mindset produced some unforgettable basketball.
One game that immediately springs to mind is the Foundation Cup showdown between CEU Scorpions and Che'Lu Bar and Grill Revellers. CEU entered that game with what many considered a depleted lineup—they had lost two key players to injuries just days before. But instead of folding, they played with a kind of desperate energy that was contagious. I was courtside for that match, and the atmosphere was electric. CEU’s point guard, Judel Fuentes, put up what I still believe was his career-best performance: 28 points, 12 assists, and 5 steals. The way he controlled the tempo, especially in the fourth quarter when Che'Lu mounted a comeback, was masterful. They won 89-85 in overtime, and what struck me most was how every player on CEU’s bench contributed meaningfully. It was a perfect example of that "kung sino na lang yung natira" philosophy—they didn't have their usual stars, but the guys who stepped up played like they had everything to prove.
Then there was the Aspirants' Cup finals between Zark's Burger-Lyceum and Che'Lu Bar and Grill. Zark's had been dominant all conference, but Che'Lu pushed them to the absolute limit. Game 2 of that series was particularly intense. Zark's was down by 12 points at halftime, and I remember thinking they might crumble under the pressure. But CJ Perez—who I’ve always argued is one of the most underrated players in the PBA D-League—simply took over. He finished with 34 points and 9 rebounds, including a clutch three-pointer with under a minute left that sealed the 78-75 win. What made that moment even more memorable was how the team rallied around him. They knew they couldn't rely solely on their usual rotations, so role players like Mike Nzeusseu stepped up defensively in ways I hadn't seen before. It was gritty, hard-nosed basketball, and it showcased why the 2018 season felt so different from others—every possession mattered, and every player understood their role, no matter how limited their minutes might have been.
I also can't forget Marinerong Pilipino's surprising run in the Foundation Cup. They weren't the most talented team on paper—in fact, I had them finishing outside the top four in my preseason predictions. But they embodied that "we only had who was left" mentality better than anyone. Their game against Go for Gold was a classic. Marinerong Pilipino was trailing by 15 points in the third quarter, and most teams would have folded. Instead, they switched to a full-court press that completely disrupted Go for Gold's rhythm. I spoke with their coach after the game, and he told me they had to adjust their strategy mid-game because they were missing two starters due to foul trouble. That flexibility and trust in their bench won them the game 91-88, with Abu Tratter dropping 22 points and 14 rebounds. It was one of those performances that made me rethink how depth—or the lack thereof—can actually become a team's greatest strength if handled correctly.
Looking back, the 2018 season was defined by these moments of unexpected brilliance. It wasn't just about the star players; it was about how teams adapted when things didn't go according to plan. The quote I mentioned earlier—"Ginawa naming motivation. Kasi kung sino na lang yung natira, dun lang kami"—wasn't just a soundbite. It was a blueprint for success that multiple teams used to overcome adversity. I've covered many leagues since then, but few have had the same emotional rawness. The 2018 PBA D-League taught me that sometimes, having less can push you to achieve more. If you missed those games, you missed something special—a season where heart often trumped talent, and where every game felt like a statement.
