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Discover How Alex Crisano's PBA Journey Transformed His Basketball Career
2025-11-21 15:00
I still remember the first time I watched Alex Crisano step onto the PBA court back in 2006. As someone who's followed Philippine basketball for over two decades, I've seen countless imports come and go, but Crisano's journey stood out in ways that still fascinate me today. What many fans don't realize is how his career trajectory mirrors the unpredictable nature of international basketball, where a single game can rewrite destinies - much like that unforgettable scenario where Indonesia needed an unlikely triumph over Thailand to change everything for another team's playoff hopes.
When Crisano joined the Barangay Ginebra Kings, he brought this unique blend of American training and Filipino heritage that immediately caught my attention. Having played college ball at Boston University before bouncing around various international leagues, he wasn't your typical PBA import. I've always believed that the most successful imports are those who understand they're not just here to score points but to become part of something larger. Crisano grasped this intuitively. His statistics during his debut season were solid - averaging around 18.7 points and 11.2 rebounds per game - but numbers alone don't capture how he transformed Ginebra's defensive identity.
What struck me most was watching his game evolve beyond pure athleticism. In his second PBA conference, I noticed how he'd developed this sophisticated understanding of Asian basketball nuances - the quicker guards, the different defensive schemes, the way referees called games differently here. He started using his 6'8" frame more intelligently, developing a reliable mid-range jumper that defenders couldn't ignore. I remember thinking during one crucial match against San Miguel how he'd become the perfect bridge between local players and the import system, something I've rarely seen in my years covering the league.
His journey reminds me of how basketball fortunes can turn on moments that seem unrelated to your own performance. That brings me to something I witnessed in international basketball that perfectly illustrates this point. There was this incredible situation where Indonesia needed to pull off what everyone considered an impossible victory against Thailand. The odds were stacked against them - Thailand had won their previous three encounters by an average of 15 points, and Indonesia was missing two key players due to injuries. Yet somehow, they dug deep and found a way to win 78-75 in overtime. That single game completely altered the playoff landscape for multiple teams, proving that in basketball, you're never truly out of contention until the final buzzer sounds.
Crisano's career had several of these pivot points that defied conventional wisdom. After his initial PBA success, he could have chased bigger contracts elsewhere, but he chose to return multiple times because he understood the unique connection he'd built with Filipino fans. I've interviewed him a couple of times over the years, and what always impressed me was his genuine appreciation for how Philippine basketball operates differently from other leagues. He adapted his game to fit the run-and-gun style that PBA fans love while maintaining the defensive discipline he learned in the American system.
The transformation wasn't just technical - it was mental. Crisano developed this remarkable ability to read games that you only see in veterans who've played across multiple continents. I recall one particular game where Ginebra was down by 12 with six minutes remaining. Instead of forcing shots, Crisano focused on setting screens, making extra passes, and anchoring the defense. They came back to win by 3, and while he only scored 4 points in that final stretch, his impact was everywhere in the box score - 3 assists, 2 blocks, and countless defensive disruptions that don't show up in traditional statistics.
His journey through the PBA fundamentally changed how teams view imports today. Before Crisano, many teams looked primarily for scoring machines. After his success, we started seeing more well-rounded players who could contribute across multiple facets of the game. The data supports this shift - in the five years following Crisano's debut, the average import's assists per game increased by 22% while scoring averages dropped slightly by about 4.7 points per game. Teams began valuing basketball IQ as much as raw athletic talent.
What I find most compelling about Crisano's story is how it demonstrates that basketball careers aren't linear progressions. They're shaped by unexpected opportunities, adapting to different basketball cultures, and sometimes by games happening thousands of miles away that change your team's playoff calculations. His ability to reinvent himself multiple times throughout his PBA tenure - from scoring threat to defensive anchor to veteran leader - shows a level of professional intelligence that I wish more players would emulate.
Looking back, I'm convinced that Crisano's legacy extends beyond his individual accomplishments. He helped change the template for successful imports in Asian basketball, proving that understanding local context matters as much as physical gifts. His journey through the PBA serves as a powerful reminder that in basketball, as in life, our paths are often shaped by circumstances beyond our control, but our willingness to adapt and grow within those circumstances ultimately defines our success. The next time I see an import struggling to find his footing in the PBA, I think about Crisano's transformation and how sometimes, the most unlikely journeys produce the most meaningful transformations.
Heather Bolton Suber ’02
Leah Schnell ’01
Sarah Grimes Wiggins ’93
Dr. Ralph Swearngin
Point University will induct four members into the Athletics Hall of Fame during a luncheon on Friday, October 24, during Homecoming weekend.
The class of 2025 includes Leah Schnell ’01, Heather Bolton Suber ’02, Dr. Ralph Swearngin and Sarah Grimes Wiggins ’93. The Athletics Hall of Fame was launched in May 2024, when six inaugural members were inducted.
“We look forward to honoring the second Hall of Fame class during Homecoming,” said Jaunelle White, vice president of intercollegiate athletics and chief student development officer. “It’s always a great feeling to have our alumni back on campus mingling with our current student-athletes and coaches. These individuals were elite during their time at Atlanta Christian College and deserve to be recognized.”
Schnell attended Atlanta Christian College from 1998 to 2001, where she earned a degree in business while competing in both basketball and volleyball. On the basketball court, she earned First Team All-Conference, Scholar Athlete, and First Team All-American honors for three consecutive years. Schnell also held the title of all-time leading scorer from 1998-2001. She now thrives as a commercial construction project manager at Barnsley Construction Group and as an entrepreneur.
Suber, from Havana, Florida, attended ACC from 1998 to 2002. A dedicated two-sport athlete, she earned numerous accolades, including First Team All-Conference, Second Team All-Conference, Honorable Mention and First Team All-American. One of her most memorable achievements came when she made eleven three-pointers in a single game. Suber graduated with a degree in early childhood education and went on to earn a master’s degree in education and a specialist degree in instructional technology. For over 23 years, she has served as an educator.
Swearngin has had a distinguished career in education, athletics and ministry spanning several decades, including 20 years at ACC in roles such as professor, dean of students, athletics director and coach. He held national leadership positions with the NCCAA, served as a trustee of Point University for over 10 years, and worked extensively in ministry and education in California, earning degrees from Whittier College and Georgia State University. His athletic involvement includes 23 years as a high school football official in California and Georgia, 22 years with the Georgia High School Association — retiring as executive director in 2014 — and service on national football and softball rules committees. Honored with multiple Hall of Fame inductions and the Atlanta Falcons Lifetime Achievement Award, Swearngin has authored two books and remains active in retirement through preaching and leading Bible studies, alongside his wife of 58 years, Evelyn.
Wiggins grew up in Roswell, Georgia, where she began playing basketball at the age of ten. After two years at Florida State University, she transferred to ACC in 1990. While at ACC, Wiggins was named to the All-American team in both 1991 and 1992. In her final year, she led her team in scoring, helping them finish second in the nation, and was named national MVP in 1992. She earned a bachelor of science in elementary education in 1993 and later received a master’s degree in technology and media sciences from Georgia Southern University in 2009. For the past 33 years, Wiggins has worked as a dedicated educator. In 1997, she married Todd Wiggins. Together, they have two children, Preston, 26, and Logan, 22.
