Rivalries
Team rivalries are a natural phenomenon in the PBA, and this sometimes results in soaring ticket sales. The most famous matchup was the Crispa-Toyota rivalry of the 1970s. Fans faithfully supported their favorite squads and appeared in the multitudes at the Araneta Coliseum, or wherever the archrivals had met. In those days, the players were very passionate. On one occasion, they engaged in a major brawl, leading to the arrest and detention of several players from both clubs at Fort Bonifacio.
The most heated rivalry in the PBA today is that of two teams representing the Ginebra franchise and the Purefoods franchise. The rivalry is now commonly known as the Manila Clasico. It traces its roots on the original Añejo–Purefoods rivalry of the late 1980s.
Other short-lived or less intense rivalries include:
- Tanduay vs Ginebra (1986-1987 rivalry)
- Añejo/Ginebra vs Shell (1990s rivalry)
- San Miguel vs Purefoods (late 1980s to 1990s rivalry)
- Purefoods vs Swift (1990s corporate rivalry)
- Purefoods vs. Alaska (1990s rivalry)
- Añejo/Ginebra vs San Miguel (late-1980s to present rivalry)
- Ginebra/Gordon's Gin vs Alaska (late-1980s to present rivalry)
- Alaska vs San Miguel (late-90's to the early millennium rivalry)
- Red Bull vs. the San Miguel franchises (Barangay Ginebra, San Miguel and Purefoods, 2000-2007)
- Purefoods Tender Juicy/B-Meg/San Mig Coffee vs. Rain or Shine (2009–present, "New Age Rivalry")
- San Miguel/Petron Blaze vs Talk 'N Text (2011–present rivalry)
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