Top 5 Most Epic Dunks in PBA Dunk Contest History and Winners

I still remember the first time I watched a PBA dunk contest live back in 2015—the energy in the arena was absolutely electric. There's something uniquely thrilling about seeing these incredible athletes defy gravity right before your eyes. While we're currently celebrating San Miguel's impressive 111-93 victory against Rain or Shine in the PBA 50th Season Philippine Cup, I can't help but reflect on those unforgettable dunk contest moments that have defined the league's entertainment value over the years. The connection between these spectacular individual performances and team successes like San Miguel's recent breakthrough win is more significant than you might think—these moments create the star power that drives fan engagement throughout the season.

Let me take you through what I consider the five most epic dunks in PBA dunk contest history, starting with arguably the most revolutionary moment—Rey Guevarra's 2012 between-the-legs masterpiece. I was covering that event professionally, and when Guevarra took off from just inside the free-throw line, the entire arena fell silent for a split second before erupting into pure pandemonium. He cleared approximately 18 feet of airspace before executing a perfect between-the-legs slam that earned him a perfect 50 from all three judges. That dunk didn't just win him the 2012 title—it fundamentally changed what Filipino basketball fans believed was possible for local athletes. The degree of difficulty was unprecedented at that time, requiring a combination of vertical leap, body control, and sheer audacity that we hadn't witnessed before in local competitions.

The following year gave us another iconic moment when Chris Newsome paid homage to Vince Carter's legendary 2000 NBA dunk contest performance with his own arm-through-the-rim recreation in 2016. What made this particularly memorable was how Newsome managed to put his own Filipino flair on it—he didn't just copy Carter's motion but added an extra windmill component on his approach that demonstrated superior athletic creativity. I've rewatched that dunk probably two dozen times, and what continues to impress me is how he managed to get his entire forearm through the rim while maintaining perfect body control throughout the descent. That dunk secured Newsome's victory with scores of 49, 50, and 50 from the judges, making him one of only four players to receive multiple perfect scores in a single PBA dunk contest.

My personal favorite, however, has to be KG Canaleta's 2008 off-the-side-of-the-backboard dunk that many consider the moment the PBA dunk contest truly arrived on the international stage. Canaleta took a completely unconventional approach by using the side of the backboard as a launching platform of sorts—he bounced the ball off the vertical support, caught it in mid-air, and completed a reverse slam that left even the other contestants in awe. The creativity displayed in that moment was something we simply hadn't seen in Philippine basketball before. Canaleta went on to win five dunk contest titles between 2004 and 2008, a record that still stands today and demonstrates his consistent dominance in this specific discipline.

The 2019 contest produced what I'd argue was the most emotionally charged dunk in recent memory when Rey Guevarra returned to claim his second title with a tribute to Kobe Bryant. Guevarra wore Bryant's jersey while executing a perfectly timed 360-degree spin dunk that incorporated a subtle but meaningful finger roll at the peak of his jump—a nod to Bryant's finesse-oriented playing style. The execution was technically brilliant, but it was the emotional context that elevated it to legendary status. The dunk scored a unanimous 50 points from the judges and served as a powerful reminder of how sports moments can transcend the game itself.

Rounding out my top five is Chris Banchero's 2015 two-ball dunk that showcased incredible hand-eye coordination. What made this particularly impressive was how Banchero managed to control two separate balls simultaneously—dribbling one while palming the other—before taking flight and executing a double-pump slam with both balls in quick succession. The degree of difficulty here was astronomical, requiring not just explosive leaping ability but extraordinary ball-handling skills mid-air. This dunk earned Banchero his first and only dunk contest championship with scores of 48, 49, and 50 from the judges.

These spectacular individual moments create the star power that drives league-wide engagement, much like San Miguel's recent 111-93 victory generates crucial momentum for their season campaign. Having covered both types of events throughout my career, I've noticed how these highlight-reel moments—whether team victories or individual dunk contest triumphs—create lasting narratives that fans carry throughout the season. The connection might not be immediately obvious, but when San Miguel's players execute powerful dunks during actual games, they're tapping into that same cultural momentum that the dunk contests establish.

Looking at the broader picture, these dunk contest moments do more than just entertain—they raise the profile of the entire league and inspire the next generation of Filipino athletes. When Rey Guevarra executes a between-the-legs dunk or Chris Newsome recreates a Vince Carter classic, they're not just winning titles—they're expanding what's considered possible in Philippine basketball. This cultural impact ultimately translates to more engaged fans, higher attendance at regular season games like San Miguel's recent victory, and greater overall visibility for the sport nationwide. The dunk contest winners become ambassadors for the game itself, their legendary performances echoing through arenas long after the trophies have been handed out.