As someone who's followed the PBA for over a decade, I've always been fascinated by players who leave an indelible mark despite not being household names. John Cabahug falls squarely into that category - a player whose career statistics tell a story of consistent excellence that often flew under the radar. When I look at today's transactions like Will Navarro's move to Busan KCC Egis, it reminds me how the PBA landscape constantly evolves, yet certain players from earlier eras established benchmarks that remain relevant.
John Cabahug's scoring numbers still impress me when I revisit them. Across his PBA career from 1989 to 1998, he averaged 13.2 points per game - a figure that doesn't jump off the page until you consider the context. This was during an era where physical defense was the norm and three-point shooting wasn't the offensive centerpiece it is today. His career-high 41 points against Shell in 1992 showcased his explosive scoring capability, something we rarely see from role players in today's more systematic approaches to the game. What stands out in my analysis is his shooting efficiency - 44% from the field and 36% from three-point territory during his prime years with Presto Tivoli. In today's analytics-driven basketball, those numbers would translate to what we now call "high-value shots."
The Navarro situation with Busan KCC Egis actually brings Cabahug's career into sharper focus for me. When Magnolia gave up Calvin Abueva and other assets to acquire Navarro, they were betting on potential - something that contrasts sharply with Cabahug's proven consistency. I've always valued players who deliver night after night over flashy potential, and Cabahug embodied that reliability. His 1990 season with Presto remains one of my personal favorites - 16.8 points per game while shooting 85% from the free-throw line. Those aren't just numbers; they represent a player who mastered the fundamentals.
Cabahug's career three-point percentage of 34.7% might not seem extraordinary by today's standards, but we need to remember he was often creating his own shots rather than benefiting from the drive-and-kick systems prevalent now. I've watched countless archived games, and his footwork coming off screens was textbook material. His release was quicker than most defenders anticipated, and he had this uncanny ability to square his shoulders mid-air that today's shooters could learn from.
When I compare modern player movements to Cabahug's era, the differences in team building philosophies become apparent. The Navarro transaction shows how teams now prioritize athleticism and potential, whereas in Cabahug's time, proven skillsets like his shooting prowess carried more weight. His stints with Alaska and Sunkist demonstrated how valuable a reliable outside shooter was, even before the three-point revolution fully took hold. I'd argue that if Cabahug played today with the green light modern shooters enjoy, his numbers would be significantly more impressive.
What often gets overlooked in Cabahug's statistical profile is his durability. He appeared in 287 games across nine seasons - not staggering by today's standards, but respectable for an era with shorter conferences and more physical play. His minutes per game averaged around 28, during which he contributed 3.1 rebounds and 2.4 assists alongside his scoring. These aren't flashy numbers, but they represent the kind of all-around contribution that winning teams need.
The current PBA landscape, with its focus on acquiring assets and developing young talent, sometimes misses what made players like Cabahug special. He wasn't just a shooter; he was a basketball intellectual who understood spacing and movement without the ball. Watching his old games, I'm struck by how he'd relocate after passing, something many contemporary players neglect. His career-high 8 assists in a single game shows he was more than just a scoring specialist.
As the PBA continues evolving with international movements like Navarro's, we risk losing appreciation for players who built their games on fundamentals rather than athleticism. Cabahug's statistics tell a story of gradual improvement and sustained excellence rather than explosive breakout seasons. His scoring average increased year over year during his first four seasons, peaking at 17.2 points per game in 1992 - evidence of a player committed to refining his craft.
Reflecting on Cabahug's career through modern lenses, I'm convinced his style would translate beautifully to today's game. The spacing, the emphasis on three-point shooting, the value of high-IQ players - all these contemporary trends would amplify his strengths. While we analyze modern transactions and speculate on potential, there's something reassuring about looking back at careers like Cabahug's, where the numbers tell a straightforward story of consistent production and fundamental excellence. In an era of highlight reels and social media highlights, we could use more appreciation for players who built their legacies not through viral moments, but through reliable performance night after night.
