Scoring 5,000 points in the PBA is a testament to either one of two things — how prolific a scorer one player is or his professionalism and longevity.

Niño Canaleta, nicknamed KG for his loose resemblance to Kevin Garnett, falls under the second category.

The former University of the East player is in his 13th season in the league and playing for his ninth club since entering the pros in 2005.

He was known as a high-flyer early in his career, a reputation he proved time and again as a 5-time slam-dunk champion. He diversified his game and added a consistent, reliable outside shot that enabled him to last longer in the league as his athleticism waned.

Canaleta would not have reached the scoring milestone if he hadn't gotten a call from Meralco, which needed to shore up its frontline because several of its players are injured. He said he had contemplated playing overseas after his contract with Blackwater expired.

"Pinilit kong makabalik at manatili sa PBA," he said in an article on Spin.ph last month.

With his feat, Canaleta now joins an elite club that not only includes the best scorers the league and the country have ever seen, but also players who have shown a commitment to being better at their craft resulting in a lengthier, productive career.

Here's the list in reverse chronological order:

83. Niño Canaleta, Meralco — 2018 January 10
82. Larry Fonacier, NLEX — 2017 September 24
81. Marc Pingris, Star — 2017 September 22

80. Tony dela Cruz, Alaska — 2017 July 22
79. Jay Washington, Rain Or Shine — 2017 March 19
78. Joe DeVance, Barangay Ginebra — 2017 January 14
77. Kelly Williams, TNT — 2016 November 16
76. LA Tenorio, Barangay Ginebra — 2016 April 3
75. Alex Cabagnot, San Miguel Beer — 2016 January 7
74. Sonny Thoss, Alaska — 2016 January 4
73. Jayson Castro, TNT — 2015 November 11
72. Mike Cortez, Meralco — 2015 April 7
71. Peter June Simon, San Mig Coffee — 2014 March 31

70. Jay-jay Helterbrand, Barangay Ginebra — 2013 September 20
69. Arwind Santos, Petron Blaze — 2013 August 23
68. Ranidel de Ocampo, TNT — 2013 May 8
67. Ronald Tubid, Petron Blaze — 2013 March 3
66. Cyrus Baguio, Alaska — 2012 December 28
65. Mark Cardona, Meralco — 2012 November 28
64. Gary David, PowerAde — 2012 March 25
63. Kerby Raymundo, B-Meg — 2011 March 27
62. Jimmy Alapag, TNT — 2011 March 2
61. James Yap, B-Meg Derby Ace — 2010 May 5

60. Dondon Hontiveros, San Miguel Beer — 2009 November 21
59. Eric Menk, Barangay Ginebra — 2008 August 6
58. Asi Taulava, Coca-Cola — 2008 March 29
57. Willie Miller, Alaska — 2008 February 6
56. Nic Belasco, Alaska — 2007 July 18
55. Ali Peek, Coca-Cola — 2007 March 9
54. Mark Caguioa, Barangay Ginebra — 2007 February 23
53. Danny Seigle, San Miguel Beer — 2006 June 30
52. Danny Ildefonso, San Miguel Beer — 2005 December 16
51. Olsen Racela, San Miguel Beer — 2004 November 11

50. Dennis Espino, Sta. Lucia — 2003 June 11
49. Jeffrey Cariaso, Coca-Cola — 2003 May 18
48. Kenneth Duremdes, Sta. Lucia — 2003 April 6
47. Marlou Aquino, Sta. Lucia — 2003 April 6
46. Dindo Pumaren, Tanduay — 2001 June 20
45. Gerry Esplana, Shell — 2001 March 28
44. Victor Pablo, Mobiline — 2000 September 10
43. Glenn Capacio, Mobiline — 1998 November 27
42. Romy dela Rosa, Sta. Lucia — 1998 October 25
41. Jun Limpot, Sta. Lucia — 1998 April 14

40. Johnny Abarrientos, Alaska — 1998 February 27
39. Pido Jarencio, Gordon's Gin — 1997 November 14
38. Alvin Teng, Sunkist — 1996 March 5
37. Bong Hawkins, Alaska — 1996 December 12
36. Vergel Meneses, Sunkist — 1996 June 14
35. Paul Alvarez, San Miguel Beer — 1995 December 19
34. Elmer Cabahug, Pepsi — 1994 November 27
33. Ronnie Magsanoc, Shell — 1994 July 24
32. Ato Agustin, San Miguel Beer — 1994 April 24
31. Jerry Codiñera, Coney Island — 1994 April 8

30. Samboy Lim, San Miguel Beer — 1994 March 22
29. Benjie Paras, Shell — 1994 April 6
28. Nelson Asayton, Swift — 1993 December 3
27. Pongky Alolor, Ginebra San Miguel — 1993 October 26
26. Al Solis, Swift — 1993 August 31
25. Chito Loyzaga, Ginebra San Miguel — 1993 March 3
24. Terry Saldaña, Swift — 1992 November 3
23. Jojo Lastimosa, Alaska — 1992 September 20
22. Alvin Patrimonio, Purefoods — 1992 August 25
21. Rudy Distrito, Ginebra San Miguel — 1991 April 30

20. Allan Caidic, Presto — 1990 November 8
19. Yoyoy Villamin, Alaska — 1990 October 8
18. Manny Victorino, Shell — 1987 August 27
17. Jimmy Manansala, Great Taste — 1986 December 2
16. Ricky Brown, Great Taste — 1986 July 27
15. Abe King, Great Taste — 1985 July 27
14. Arnie Tuadles, Ginebra San Miguel — 1985 November 26
13. Bernie Fabiosa, Crispa — 1984 October 16
12. Manny Paner, San Miguel Beer — 1982 November 13
11. Abet Guidaben, Crispa — 1982 August 10

10. Lim Eng Beng, U-Tex — 1982 May 9
9. Danny Florencio, Toyota — 1981 September 5
8. Bogs Adornado, U-Tex — 1981 July 18
7. Freddie Hubalde, Crispa — 1981 May 21
6. Ernesto Estrada, Presto — 1981 March 28
5. Philip Cezar, Crispa — 1980 November 18
4. Ramon Fernandez, Toyota — 1980 July 10
3. Robert Jaworski, Toyota — 1980 April 24
2. Francis Arnaiz, Toyota — 1979 November 27
1. Atoy Co, Crispa — 1979 May 17

Sources: The Official PBA Annual, Fidel Mangonon III

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