Basketball is among the most popular sports in the Philippines and players from all parts of the globe participate in the PBA League. This blog will discuss the players who are the highest paid PBA player in this league alongside the signing amount of their contract.
However, one thing to mention is that the earnings of these players do not include their sponsorship deals and other bonuses. These are the unofficial contract income and salary details of the players.
Highest Paid PBA Players in the Philippines
1. June Mar "The Kraken" FAJARDO
June Mar Fajardo is a tall center for the San Miguel Beermen in the Philippine Basketball Association (PBA). He's really good and has won the MVP award six times. Fajardo makes about $1.3 Million or a staggering P75 million every year, which makes him the highest paid PBA player in the Philippines.
June Mar Fajardo has won six MVP awards, four Best Player of the Conference titles, and four championships which shows just how good he is on the court. He is the main player for the San Miguel Beermen, and the fact that they pay him a lot of money proves how important he is to them.
2. Japeth Aguilar (PHP 60 Million)
Jaspeth Aguilar is a professional basketballer who is currently a top player in the country. His popularity with the Barangay Ginebra fans means he earns a lot of money about P60 million or around $1 Million. He's the second highest paid PBA player in the league. People love watching him play because of his athletic moves and ability to perform well under pressure.
3. Stanley Pringle (PHP 50 Million)
At 54 years old, Pringle shows age is just a number, proving how important experience is. His salary of P50 million or $890,000 that shows how much he's respected for his lasting impact on the game. With four championships and lots of memorable moments, Pringle is still loved by fans and is a valuable player, both in games and in the eyes of supporters.
4. Marcio Lassiter (PHP 45 Million)
Lassiter's incredible accuracy from long range is why he earns his P45 million or $800,000 salary per year. He's essential to the San Miguel Beermen's offense, hitting crucial three-pointers and adding firepower with Fajardo. His experience and winning mindset make him a valuable leader for the team.
5. Calvin Abueva (PHP 43 Million)
Calvin Abueva is a small forward for the Magnolia Hotshots in the PBA. He's tough and plays hard on offense and defense. He was chosen as the second overall pick by the Alaska Aces in the 2012 PBA Draft. Abueva.
"The Beast" Abueva makes about $760,000 or a whopping P43 million every year because of his incredible energy and non-stop effort on the court. Fans love him for his amazing dunks and intense passion. His strong defense and knack for getting into opponents' heads make him super important to the Magnolia Hotshots.
6. Scottie Thompson (PHP 40 Million)
Scottie Thompson is another highest paid PBA player who plays for Baarngay Ginebra San Miguel Team in the PBA competitions. He is among the most successful players active in the competition and has played a major role in his team’s success. That is why he is highly rated and gets a salary of P40 Million or $700,000 per year.
7. Paul Lee (PHP 35 Million)
Paul Lee is a professional basketballer who wears jersey number 3 for the Magnolia Hotshots. The basketballer plays as the shooting guard and point guard. He is currently earning P35 Million or $620,000 per annum.
Lee's career highlights include winning 3 PBA championships and being named the PBA Finals MVP in 2016. He was also honored as the PBA Best Player of the Conference in 2018 and has been selected for multiple All-Star games.
8. Terrence Romeo (PHP 34 Million)
The next highest paid PBA player is Terrence Romeo, who wears jersey number 7 for the San Miguel Beermen. The basketballer plays as both a point guard and a shooting guard. He was born on March 16, 1992, in Imus, Cavite, and is 5 feet 11 inches tall.
He started his PBA career with the Barako Bull Energy Cola in 2013 and soon made a big impact with GlobalPort Batang Pier and later TNT KaTropa. He joined the San Miguel Beermen in 2019 and made highlights when he signed a big money contract of worth P34 Million or $6000,000.
9. Christian Standhardinger (PHP 30 Million)
Christian Standhardinger was born on July 4, 1989, in Munich, Germany, and is a Filipino-German basketball player known for his skills as a power forward and center in the Philippine Basketball Association (PBA). Therefore, he gets a huge salary of P30 Million or $530,000 per year from his team.
In his career, he has earned many awards like four PBA championships and the Finals MVP title in the 2022–23 Commissioner's Cup. Standhardinger's impact extends beyond scoring, as he's also been known for his defensive skills and leadership on the court.
10. Arwind Santos (PHP 28 Million)
Arwind Santos is currently ranked 10th in the list of highest paid PBA players who play as a power forward and small forward. The basketballer was born on June 10, 1981, in Angeles City, Santos sand 6 feet 4 inches tall. He currently earns around P28 Million or $500,000 per year as his salary from NorthPort Batang Pier.
This huge salary is due to his impressive record of 9 PBA championships, MVP in 2013, and has won multiple Best Player of the Conference awards. He's further won 3 Defensive Player of the Year titles.
How much does an average PBA Player make in a year?
The information about the highest-paid PBA players comes from interviews with players, behind-the-scenes officials, and anonymous sources. Moonton and MPL PH didn't officially release this information. It's only about players in the Philippines.
- Moonton sets a minimum salary for players, but the exact amount isn't shared publicly. Rookies usually earn between PHP15,000 to PHP30,000 per month, which is about $270 to $540.
- Players with more experience and better records can make around PHP80,000, which is about $1,400 to $1,500 monthly. Amateurs or those not affiliated with established teams earn about $90 to $180 a month.
- Moonton doesn't have a maximum salary limit per player, but the entire team's total salary can't exceed PHP900,000 per month, roughly $16,150. This rule is part of the MPL franchise regulations.
NCAA and UAAP players are technically amateur players who do not earn but they do receive some sort of allowances. It depends on some schools. The most expensive would be a condo, family allowance, and a car for some colleges.
PBA News 2024