Paul Alvarez

Basketball career

Alvarez graduated from University of Manila High School at age 17, where he starred for the UM Hawklets. San Sebastian coach Francis Rodriguez noticed his playing style and brought him to the San Sebastian varsity team in 1985. As a rookie, he helped the Recto-based team win their second NCAA championship.

In 1987, he was selected for the Philippine national team for the ABC Youth championships in Manila, and later played in the William Jones Cup, SEA Games, and ABC Championships. He also played for coach Derrick Pumaren with Magnolia in the PABL. In his final year at San Sebastian in 1988, Alvarez and league MVP Eugene Quilban led the Stags to sweep the elimination round and win the school's third NCAA title, avenging a previous finals loss to Letran.

PBA career

Alvarez turned professional in 1989, drafted third overall by Alaska Milk behind Benjie Paras and Nelson Asaytono. He made an immediate impact with his high-flying play, earning the nickname 'Mr. Excitement' from fans and announcers. In his sophomore year, he broke Allan Caidic's record for most points in a single game by scoring 71 points in Alaska's 169-138 win over Formula Shell on April 26, 1990. That year he made the Mythical Five selection but injured his Achilles heel in Game 3 of the 1990 PBA Third Conference Finals against Purefoods.

He missed two full conferences to recover, then returned in the third conference, helping limit Best Import Awardee Wes Matthews in the finals against Ginebra San Miguel as Alaska won its first PBA championship. A contract dispute with Alaska in 1993 led him to travel to the United States; upon his return, Alaska traded him to Sta. Lucia for Bong Hawkins. He became a main player for the Realtors and was named comeback player of the year by the PBA Press Corps.

He was then traded to Shell for Romeo Dela Rosa at the start of the 1994 season, and later to San Miguel Beer for Victor Pablo within two years. After a one-year stint with Ginebra in 1998, he played briefly in the Metropolitan Basketball Association before returning to the PBA.

Did You Know?

• In September 2024, Alvarez joined the Aksyon Demokratiko party to run for councilor of the third district of Manila in the 2025 elections.
• He was part of the ticket of former Manila Mayor Isko Moreno but finished 9th among candidates for six seats.
• On June 3, 2017, Alvarez was caught using drugs with two others at a barbershop in Sikatuna Village, Quezon City while police were serving an arrest warrant for a case of slight physical injury.