Which PBA Teams Dominated the 2021 Season? A Complete Breakdown
As I sat down to analyze the PBA's 2021 season, that quote from one of the coaching staff kept echoing in my mind - "We're still searching for many things, we still want many things, but we're so happy where we are now because we can see where we're headed and what more we can achieve." This perfectly captures the journey of the teams that dominated that unprecedented season. The 2021 Philippine Basketball Association season was unlike any other, played in bubbles and under strict protocols, yet it produced some of the most compelling basketball narratives we've seen in recent years.
When people ask me which teams truly dominated the 2021 season, my mind immediately goes to TNT Tropang Giga and the Barangay Ginebra San Miguel. These two squads weren't just winning games - they were setting the standard for excellence in what many considered the most challenging season in PBA history. TNT's performance in the Philippine Cup was nothing short of spectacular, finishing with a 10-1 record in the elimination round before ultimately capturing the championship. What impressed me most about TNT was their offensive efficiency - they averaged 98.2 points per game while holding opponents to just 89.4 points. Their three-point shooting was particularly lethal, connecting on 36.8% of their attempts from beyond the arc.
The Tropang Giga's championship run was masterminded by coach Chot Reyes, who implemented a system that perfectly balanced veteran leadership with young talent. Watching RR Pogoy develop into a legitimate star was one of my personal highlights of the season. The guy averaged 18.8 points while shooting 42% from the field, and his two-way play reminded me why I've always believed he's one of the most underrated players in the league. Then there's Mikey Williams - my goodness, what a revelation he was. The rookie sensation put up 19.9 points per game in the finals alone, earning Finals MVP honors and establishing himself as the league's next big thing.
Meanwhile, Barangay Ginebra continued their reign as the league's most popular and successful franchise, capturing the 2021 Governors' Cup in dramatic fashion. Coach Tim Cone's system just kept producing results, with the Gin Kings finishing with a 9-2 record in the elimination phase before storming through the playoffs. What always strikes me about Ginebra is how they manage to maintain their identity year after year. They still play that physical, high-energy style that fans love, but they've incorporated enough modern elements to stay competitive. Stanley Pringle was absolutely phenomenal that season, averaging 18.5 points while shooting 41% from three-point territory. His performance in the Governors' Cup finals, where he dropped 32 points in the clinching game, was one for the ages.
The numbers tell part of the story, but what the stats sheets don't show is the mental toughness these teams displayed throughout that challenging season. Playing in the PBA bubble required incredible discipline and adaptability - qualities that both TNT and Ginebra possessed in abundance. I remember talking to several players during that period, and they all mentioned how difficult it was to be away from their families for extended periods. Yet the dominant teams found ways to turn that adversity into motivation. They created their own micro-communities within the bubble, developing chemistry that translated directly to on-court success.
Looking beyond the two champions, teams like Magnolia and San Miguel Beer also had impressive campaigns that deserve recognition. Magnolia's run to the Philippine Cup finals was built on their trademark defensive intensity, holding opponents to just 86.3 points per game during the elimination round. Their backcourt duo of Paul Lee and Mark Barroca provided veteran leadership and clutch shooting when it mattered most. San Miguel, despite dealing with injuries to key players including June Mar Fajardo, still managed to make deep playoff runs in both conferences. That resilience speaks volumes about the championship culture that organization has built over the years.
From my perspective covering the league for over a decade, what made the 2021 season particularly fascinating was how teams adapted to the unique circumstances. The COVID-19 protocols, the compressed schedule, the absence of live audiences - these factors could have leveled the playing field, but instead they highlighted which organizations had built the strongest foundations. The dominant teams weren't just talented; they were deep, well-coached, and mentally prepared for the challenges. They understood that success in such an unusual season required more than just basketball skills - it demanded emotional intelligence and collective buy-in to the team's vision.
As I reflect on that season, it's clear that TNT and Ginebra's success wasn't accidental. Both teams had been building toward these moments for years, making smart roster moves and developing their systems. The quote about still searching for many things while being happy with current progress perfectly encapsulates their journeys. Even at their peak performance levels, these teams maintained growth mindsets, constantly looking for ways to improve. That, more than any single victory or statistical achievement, is what separated them from the competition and cemented their status as the true dominators of the 2021 PBA season.
