Abet Guidaben

Guidaben started his career with the Agoho (Mambajao, Camiguin) Pirates and the University of San Jose - Recoletos. Then in 1973, he became part of the Crispa team in the old Manila Industrial and Commercial Athletic Association (MICAA). Later that year, he and Crispa teammate Bogs Adornado were named to the Philippine team that won the 1973 Asian Basketball Confederation (ABC) held in Manila. The two also suited up for the national team that played in the 1974 Mundo Basket (the World Championship) held in San Juan, Puerto Rico. The Crispa-Floro duo were again in the national team skippered by Jaworski for the 1974 Asian Games in Teheran.

In the PBA, Guidaben was a "late-bloomer" with Crispa. During the league's early years, he played in the shadows of his more illustrious teammates like Philip Cezar, Atoy Co and Bogs Adornado. But slowly, his talent as a big man emerged and became one of Crispa's greatest assets. He was already a good rebounder but later developed a strong inside game complemented with accurate off-the-glass jumpers from the perimeter. He was also one of the earliest dunkers in the PBA making the slam dunk vogue in the league a decade before the arrival of highflyers like Samboy Lim, Paul "Bong" Alvarez, Vergel Meneses and Nelson Asaytono. He also had a great rivalry with Toyota's Fernandez which was considered a classic in itself. He won MVP honors in 1983 while with Crispa and 1987 while with San Miguel Beer. He wound up as a journeyman of sorts having played for eight teams. Aside from Crispa and San Miguel, he also suited up for Manila Beer, Tanduay, Purefoods, Alaska Milk, Pepsi Mega and Shell Rimula X.

He finished his PBA career as the No. 2 all-time leading scorer with 15,775 points (behind Fernandez's 18,996), No. 2 all-time in total rebounds with 8,570, No. 2 in defensive rebounds with 6,197, No. 1 in offensive rebounds with 2,373 and No. 1 in games played with 1,081. He also had 2,284 assists, 340 steals and 922 blocks in 29,577:10 total minutes played (No. 3 behind Fernandez and Patrimonio). He finished with career averages of 14.6 ppg, 7.9 rpg, 2.1 apg, 77.6% FT (2,875/3,707), 53.1% FG (6,420/12,092).

In 2000, he was named as one of the PBA's 25 greatest players of all-time in elaborate awards ceremonies that highlighted the 25th anniversary of the league. After his retirement, he went into the construction business, and in 2003, he migrated to New Jersey in the United States with his family. Even in the U.S. he actively took part in benefit basketball events staged by the PBA Legends USA Foundation.

In 2007, he was enshrined into the PBA Hall of Fame along with Manny Paner, Danny Florencio, and Norman Black.[1]

In 2010, he suffered from a serious ailment called Myasthenia Gravis and was admitted to the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) for eight days.[2] He managed to survive from the illness by taking steroids.

In 2012, he suffered two strokes in a span of one week, and was diagnosed with meningitis.[3] He was again admitted to the ICU as a result.

Guidaben, with his wife, Maridol, has four children (Maria Elizabeth, JR, Michael and Katherine) and several grandchildren.[4]

• An Abet Guidaben for Mon Fernandez swap happened twice. In 1985, Guidaben was shipped from Tanduay to Manila Beer for El Presidente during the last conference. Three years later, Guidaben, then playing for San Miguel, was sent to Purefoods for the disgruntled Fernandez.
• Guidaben has worn the jersey #5 during his time with the Crispa Redmanizers. Ever since then he has worn other jersey numbers equaling to 5 such as 14 (1+4), 23 (2+3), 32 (3+2) & 41 (4+1).