Pablo Álvarez

Paul Beleno "Bong" Alvarez (nacido el 15 de junio de 1968) es un exjugador profesional de baloncesto filipino de la Asociación Filipina de Baloncesto y político. Apodado " Mr. Excitement " por sus espectaculares saltos y mates.

A la temprana edad de 17 años, Paul se graduó de la preparatoria de la Universidad de Manila , donde era considerado una estrella de los UM Hawklets. Su estilo de juego llamó la atención del entrenador de San Sebastián, Francis Rodríguez, quien lo incorporó al equipo universitario de San Sebastián en 1985. Como novato, Álvarez ayudó al equipo de Recto a ganar su segundo campeonato en la NCAA.

In 1987, Paul was one of the college players chosen to represent the Philippine National team to the ABC Youth championships held in Manila. He then became a member of the RP Basketball team to the William Jones Cup in Taipei, the SEA games in Jakarta and ABC Championships in Bangkok.^[1] He also played for coach Derrick Pumaren and the Magnolia quintet in the Philippine Amateur Basketball League (PABL).^[2]

In his final year with San Sebastian College in 1988, Alvarez, along with league MVP Eugene Quilban, led the Stags to sweep the elimination round and then clinch the school's third NCAA title.^[3] The win erased the stigma of a bitter finals loss to Letran Knights the previous season.

Paul Alvarez turned pro in 1989 and was drafted third overall by Alaska Milk, behind fellow national teammates Benjie Paras and Nelson Asaytono. He made an impact from his very first game delighting the crowd with his high-flying antics. Soon after, fans and TV announcers started calling him "Mr.Excitement", a moniker that stuck with him throughout his career.

In his sophomore year, Alvarez shattered the record for most points by an individual in a single-game held by Allan Caidic. He poured in 71 points in Alaska's 169-138 victory over Formula Shell on April 26, 1990.^[4] That same year, he made it to the Mythical five selection for the first time but injured his Achilles heel in Game 3 of the 1990 PBA Third Conference Finals against Purefoods.^[5] He was out of commission for two full conferences to recuperate from the Achilles heel injury but made a successful comeback in the third conference. Helping to limit the point production of Best Import Awardee Wes Matthews in the finals against Ginebra San Miguel, Alvarez and the Milkmen won their first-ever PBA championship.^[6]

A contract dispute with Alaska at the start of the 1993 PBA season led to Alvarez boarding a plane to the United States. When he returned to the country, Alaska traded him to Sta.Lucia for Bong Hawkins. He was back in harness quickly becoming one of the main men of the Realtors and was named comeback player of the year by the PBA Press Corps.

Su carrera como jugador se convirtió en una especie de trotamundos a partir de ahí, siendo intercambiado con Shell por Romeo Dela Rosa al comienzo de la temporada 1994 de la PBA y luego pasando a San Miguel Beer en un intercambio con Victor Pablo en menos de dos años. ^{[ 7 ] [ 8 ]} Después de su paso de un año por Ginebra en 1998, Álvarez pasó a jugar por un corto tiempo en la Metropolitan Basketball Association antes de volver a jugar en la PBA.

En septiembre de 2024, Álvarez se unió al partido Aksyon Demokratiko con la intención de postularse como concejal del tercer distrito de Manila en las elecciones de 2025. Fue nombrado parte de la candidatura del exalcalde de Manila , Isko Moreno , quien buscaría regresar al cargo. ^{[ 9 ]} Sin embargo, perdió, quedando en noveno lugar entre los candidatos para los seis escaños del distrito.

Álvarez fue sorprendido consumiendo drogas con otras dos personas en una barbería en Sikatuna Village, Ciudad Quezón , el 3 de junio de 2017. Inicialmente, la policía acudió a la barbería para ejecutar una orden de arresto contra Álvarez por un caso de lesiones leves. ^{[ 10 ]}

• Paul Alvarez@pba-online.net
• Alvarez to play in Cebu