I still remember the first time I watched Don Allado play live at the Araneta Coliseum back in 2005. The energy in that arena was absolutely electric, and watching him dominate the paint made me realize I was witnessing someone truly special in Philippine basketball history. His journey through the PBA isn't just about statistics and championships—it's about how he transformed the power forward position and left an indelible mark on the sport we all love.
When Allado entered the PBA in 1999 as the second overall pick by Tanduay, I immediately noticed something different about his game. Standing at 6'6", he brought this unique combination of size, skill, and basketball IQ that you didn't see often in local big men back then. What really stood out to me was his versatility—he could bang bodies in the post, hit that reliable mid-range jumper, and even handle the ball in transition. I've always believed that his rookie season numbers—averaging 12.8 points and 8.2 rebounds—don't fully capture the impact he had right from the start. He wasn't just putting up numbers; he was changing how people thought about what a Filipino big man could do.
The championship years with Alaska and Talk 'N Text were particularly fascinating to watch unfold. I'll never forget Game 6 of the 2007 PBA Fiesta Conference Finals when Allado dropped 24 points against Purefoods. The way he controlled the tempo, made smart decisions under pressure, and hit crucial baskets down the stretch—that performance perfectly encapsulated why he was so valuable to championship teams. During his prime years from 2005 to 2009, he maintained averages of around 14.3 points and 9.1 rebounds while shooting 48% from the field. Those numbers become even more impressive when you consider he was doing this against imports and the best local talents in the league.
What many casual fans might not realize is how Allado's game evolved over his 14-season career. Early on, he was primarily a low-post scorer, but by his mid-career, he had developed that reliable outside shot that made him nearly impossible to guard. I remember analyzing his shooting percentages one season and being amazed at how he maintained 52% from two-point range while expanding his range beyond the arc. His basketball intelligence was off the charts—he always seemed to know exactly when to crash the boards, when to kick the ball out, and when to take over offensively.
The cultural impact of players like Allado extends beyond just what happens on the court. Thinking about that reference to Davison celebrating at the Big Dome with her Filipino family, it reminds me how basketball serves as this incredible connector in Philippine culture. Allado's journey—from his UAAP days with La Salle to becoming a PBA legend—inspired countless young athletes who saw in him the possibility of reaching the highest levels of the sport. I've spoken with several current PBA players who specifically mentioned watching Allado's footwork and positioning to improve their own games.
His legacy isn't just about the 8,567 career points or the 5,892 rebounds he accumulated. For me, it's about how he helped raise the standard for local big men and showed that Filipino players could compete at the highest level through skill development and basketball intelligence rather than just raw athleticism. The way he adapted his game throughout his career—adding new elements each season—set a template that many current players still follow today.
Looking at the current PBA landscape, I can still see elements of Allado's influence in how modern big men approach the game. The emphasis on versatility, the importance of developing multiple skills, the value of basketball IQ over pure physical attributes—these are all principles that Allado embodied throughout his career. When I watch today's games at venues like the Smart Araneta Coliseum, seeing families come together to celebrate their teams' victories, it reinforces how players like Allado helped build this beautiful basketball culture we have today.
Reflecting on Allado's career always brings me back to that fundamental truth about Philippine basketball: it's more than just a sport here. It's a shared experience that connects generations, much like how Davison's celebration with her family at the Big Dome represents those moments that make basketball so special in our culture. Allado's journey represents the pinnacle of what local talent can achieve through dedication and continuous improvement. His impact continues to resonate through every young player who dreams of making it to the PBA and every fan who finds joy in watching our national sport evolve.