Ramon Fernandez

Ramon Sadaya Fernandez (; born October 3, 1953) is a Filipino former professional basketball player and former commissioner of the Philippine Sports Commission. Fernandez won four PBA Most Valuable Player awards and a record of 19 PBA titles. Fernandez stood at 6'4 barefoot for much of his career but due to mild gigantism, he grew to 6'5 during his final seasons. He scored 18,996 points to finish as the PBA's all-time scoring leader. He is also the PBA's all-time leader in rebounds, blocked shots, and free throws made, playing minutes and second all-time in assists, games played and steals. He played for five teams in his entire PBA career starting with the Toyota, Manila Beer, Tanduay, Purefoods and San Miguel. Fernandez also played in multiple international tournaments as a member of the Philippine basketball team.

He is regarded as one of the greatest players to have ever played in the Philippine Basketball Association with analysts and former players citing him as arguably the greatest ever. He was one of the original 25 players selected in the PBA's list of Greatest Players. In 2026, the trophy given to the PBA Finals MVP was named in his honor.

After retiring, Fernandez became a commissioners of several basketball leagues, including the Metropolitan Basketball Association. In 2016, he was appointed as one of the four commissioners of the Philippine Sports Commission.

Early life and amateur career Fernandez was born in Maasin, Leyte as the youngest of nine siblings. He first played basketball at five years old, as he was influenced by his older brothers. After two years studying at a seminary, he graduated from University of San Carlos in Cebu, playing for their Warriors from 1970 to 1972.

In 1972, with intentions of joining either San Sebastian, Fernandez joined the San Miguel Braves, playing in the Manila Industrial and Commercial Athletic Association (MICAA). The following year, after the Braves won the 1973 MICAA National Open, he transferred to the newly formed Komatsu Komets (later renamed the Toyota Comets). He then underwent residency at San Sebastian, but then attempted to transfer to DLSU. When Toyota joined the Philippine Basketball Association (PBA), Fernandez joined them as well, foregoing plans for a stint in the NCAA or UAAP. With his teammates Robert Jaworski, Francis Arnáiz, Arnie Tuadles, Danny Florencio, Emerito "Emer" Legaspi and Abe King, Toyota won nine titles from 1975-1983. However, they also lost in several finals, such as three straight sweeps in 1976 and in the 1980 Open Conference finals, when they lost Game 5 to the U/Tex Wranglers despite holding a four-point lead with 16 seconds remaining. He was the 1982 PBA Most Valuable Player, the only time he achieved the award during his days with the fabled Toyota team as he led Toyota to win two of their nine titles that season (the Reinforced Conference and the Open Conference) despite injuries to Jaworski. When Jaworski returned in the 1983 season, tension began brewing between him and Fernandez, which was fueled by the media.

Beer Hausen After Toyota's disbandment in 1984, Fernandez and several former Toyota teammates joined Beer Hausen. Fernandez won the 1984 MVP award, his second, during his first season with the Lucio Tan-owned franchise in which he had over 20 triple-doubles. From 1986–1987, he along with former Crispa rivals Freddie Hubalde and Padim Israel, J.B. Yango, Willie Generalao, Onchie dela Cruz and imports Rob Williams, Andre McKoy and later, David Thirdkill, led the Rhum Masters to three PBA titles in two seasons, including one over Jaworski in the 1986 All-Filipino Conference. However, midway through the All-Filipino Conference, he would relinquish his coaching duties to his assistant, Cris Calilan, to concentrate on his game.

Fernandez was a vital cog in San Miguel's historic grand slam run in 1989, and also made the Mythical First Team that season. He also made amends with rival Jaworski during the All-Star Game of the same season, when he scored an under goal stab off a Jaworski inbound pass at half court, to lead the Veterans to a 132-130 win over the Rookie-Sophomores team. Legendary coach Baby Dalupan, then coaching the Veterans, summoned both players to a historic handshake at centercourt, signaling the end of their bitter feud. However, despite leading his team to the "triple crown" that season, he narrowly lost to rookie Benjie Paras in the MVP balloting, denying the then 36-year old veteran a fifth MVP plum. He ended with career averages of 17.7 points per game, 8.1 rebounds per game, 4.9 assists per game, 1.2 steals per game, and 1.7 blocks per game in 1,074 games.

National team career Fernandez was a member of several Philippine national teams. These include the teams for the 1972 ABC Under-18 Championship, the 1974 FIBA World Championship, and the 1974 Asian Games. In 2003, Fernandez was named the Commissioner of the Collegiate Champions League tournament. He also became the Commissioner of the now-inactive United Regional Basketball League during its only run in 2004. In 2015, Fernandez was considered a possible candidate to become the PBA's commissioner after the resignation of Chito Salud.

Fernandez has frequently appeared in PBA Legends Reunion games held in the Philippines and internationally. Fernandez was part of the Toyota Tamaraws in the Crispa-Toyota Reunion Game. The highlight of the event was the kick out pass of Fernandez to Jaworski, who sank a three-pointer to seal the Tamaraws' 65–61 win over their bitter rivals, the Redmanizers. When Fernandez was inducted in the PBA Hall of Fame, he participated in the Greatest Game, a reunion of several members of the league's 25 Greatest Players, on May 30, 2005 when they lost to the TM Greats team, 96–92. In 2019, he coached Purefoods in a "Return of the Rivals" exhibition game.

Fernandez also ventured in several business opportunities and is currently based in Cebu, managing his "Suka ni El Presidente" brand of bottled spiced vinegar. He also runs a foundation, the Ramon Fernandez Sports and Youth Development Foundation, that supports athletes' welfare.

In 2016, Fernandez was appointed as one of the four commissioners of the Philippine Sports Commission (PSC). In his tenure, he advocated for grassroots sports development, athlete welfare, and training programs for young athletes. Ramirez went on leave until July 20 to attend to his sick wife.

Personal life

Marriage Fernandez has been married to Karla Kintanar, who comes from a prominent family in Argao, Cebu, since 2007. He was previously married to a woman named Marissa, who accused him in 2005 of physical abuse, which Fernandez has denied. They had four children together.

Player profile Fernandez could play all five positions on the basketball court. Almost always, whenever he would get the defensive rebound, he would assume the role of "point-center" and start a fastbreak, either hitting a full-court pass or scoring it himself.

In 2000, Fernandez was included in the PBA's 25 Greatest Players' list and was awarded during the league's anniversary on April 9, 2000. He was also inducted in the PBA Hall of Fame. He was on the committee that selected the next batch for the PBA's 50 Greatest list.

On January 15, 2026, the PBA Press Corps announced that the trophy awarded to the PBA Finals MVP will be known as the Ramon Fernandez Trophy starting with the 2025–26 PBA Philippine Cup finals. Later that year, he and six other athletes were inducted into the Philippine Sports Hall of Fame. Philippine Sports Hall of Fame – Batch of 2026

Coaching career

PBA