I still remember the electric atmosphere at the Smart Araneta Coliseum during the 2014 PBA Governors' Cup finals. As a longtime basketball journalist, I've witnessed countless championship moments, but there was something special about that San Mig Coffee Mixers team. Coach Tim Cone's triangle offense flowed like perfectly brewed coffee, and watching that roster execute was pure basketball poetry. Fast forward to today, and it's fascinating to see how these players have evolved - some still dominating the courts, others transitioning to entirely new chapters. Just the other day, I was watching Meralco's Chris Newsome drive to the basket with that familiar intensity, and it struck me how these former teammates have scattered across different paths while maintaining that championship DNA.
Looking at the current PBA landscape, several San Mig Coffee alumni remain prominent figures. Marc Pingris, the heart and soul of that team, officially retired in 2021 after 17 seasons but has transitioned smoothly into broadcasting and business ventures. I recently caught his basketball analysis on TV5, and he brings that same fiery passion to commentary that he brought to the court. James Yap, the iconic scorer who averaged around 14.2 points during that conference, continues to play for Rain or Shine at 41 years young - though his minutes have decreased to about 18 per game this season. What many fans might not know is that he's also serving as councilor in San Juan City, successfully balancing politics and professional basketball. Then there's Mark Barroca, the steady point guard who's still running the show for the Magnolia Hotshots. I've noticed his game has matured beautifully - he's become more of a facilitator while maintaining that pesky defense we loved during the San Mig days.
The international careers of these players particularly interest me. Take Joe Devance, for instance. After winning eight championships with various teams following his San Mig stint, he moved into coaching and recently joined the Taiwan Mustangs as an assistant coach. I spoke with him briefly last month, and he mentioned how his experience in Cone's system prepared him perfectly for teaching the game overseas. Meanwhile, PJ Simon, who retired in 2018 after scoring over 7,800 career points, has built a successful chain of barbecue restaurants across Metro Manila. I've tried his sisig at the Quezon City branch, and it's genuinely fantastic - though I might be slightly biased as a fan of his playing days.
What surprises me most is how many of these players have remained connected to basketball in some capacity. Alex Mallari, who played limited minutes during that 2014 run, recently announced his retirement after playing in Japan and is now focusing on his clothing brand and basketball clinics. I attended one of his training sessions in Makati last month, and his teaching style clearly reflects Coach Cone's attention to detail. Rafi Reavis, at 45 years old, continues to defy Father Time with Magnolia - his defensive IQ and rebounding instincts remain sharp as ever. During our conversation after a recent game, he credited his longevity to yoga and meditation practices he adopted during his San Mig Coffee days.
The business ventures these former players have pursued demonstrate remarkable diversity. Justin Melton, known as "The Rocket" for his incredible leaping ability, has channeled his energy into establishing a chain of coffee shops - appropriately named "Melton's Brew." I find it wonderfully ironic that the former San Mig Coffee guard now literally sells coffee. Meanwhile, Yancy de Ocampo has successfully transitioned into sports broadcasting while managing several agricultural investments in his home province. The most unexpected career shift belongs to Jerwin Gaco, who's now a licensed financial advisor with one of the country's largest insurance companies - though he still conducts weekend basketball clinics for underprivileged kids.
What strikes me about tracking these careers is how the championship mentality from that San Mig Coffee team translated to their post-playing lives. Whether it's Ian Sangalang continuing to dominate in the paint for Magnolia or Val Acuña finding success in the MPBL, they all carry that same competitive spirit. Even the players who've stepped away from basketball entirely, like Lester Alvarez who now runs a construction business, approach their new careers with the discipline they learned under Coach Cone. As I watch current PBA stars like Chris Newsome - whose photo by Mark Cristino perfectly captures modern PBA athleticism - I can't help but see echoes of that legendary San Mig Coffee team in today's game.
Reflecting on these journeys, I'm reminded that championship teams never truly disband - they simply evolve. The bonds formed during that 2014 title run appear to remain strong, with players regularly supporting each other's business ventures and personal milestones. Just last week, I spotted several former San Mig players attending the opening of Pingris' new sports facility. This continuity speaks volumes about the culture Coach Cone built - one that produced not just champions, but well-rounded individuals prepared for life beyond basketball. As the PBA continues to evolve, the legacy of that San Mig Coffee team serves as a beautiful reminder that while careers transition, championship DNA endures.