Nelson Asaytono

College career

Asaytono is one of the greatest players ever to step up in a less-known university in University of Manila, that produced stars such as Reynel Hugnatan and others. He is also part of the very talented rookie class of 1989 composed of SSC-R stalwart Paul Alvarez, UP power force Benjie Paras, and DLSU hotshot Dindo Pumaren.

Purefoods Hotdogs

Asaytono was drafted 2nd overall by the Purefoods Hotdogs in 1989. The squad was then led by Jojo Lastimosa, Alvin Patrimonio, and Jerry Codiñera. At Purefoods, he was an immediate back-up for Patrimonio, and would share minutes with Glenn Capacio, Lastimosa, fellow rookie Dindo Pumaren and Codiñera. He won two titles with the team.

Swift/Sunkist

Before the start of the 1992 season, Asaytono was traded to Swift Mighty Meaties where became the leader of the squad along with Al Solis. His leadership and talent made him an MVP candidate but came short to San Miguel gunner Ato Agustin. Despite missing out the MVP honors, he led the Mighty Meaties to two PBA titles which includes the 1992 3rd Conference against the 7-up Bottlers and the 1993 Commissioner's Cup against Purefoods Oodles.

The next season, when the team acquired Vergel Meneses, his minutes was cut down into half and was even reduced further when new coach Derrick Pumaren took over the reins. Although he was later relegated to the bench, his team (rechristened as Sunkist) won two more titles in the 1995 All-Filipino and Commissioner's Cup conferences, respectively. He was later traded to the San Miguel Beermen before the start of the 1996 season.

San Miguel Beermen

Asaytono's trade to San Miguel proved to be the turning point of his career. He became go-to-guy in Coach Ron Jacobs's rotation, as well as its franchise player. In 1997, he became one of the forerunners for the MVP award but he again came short to former teammate, Alvin Patrimonio. Although he lost the MVP race, he led the league in scoring.

When the team drafted future MVP Danny Ildefonso in the 1998 season, his minutes was again reduced but still he led the team in scoring. He led Beermen to the finals twice in All Filipino and Commissioner's Cup in that season, but came up short in both occasions to the Alaska Milkmen. A year later, when Jong Uichico took over the coaching reins from Jacobs, he was relegated to the bench and was eventually traded to his former team, the Pop Cola 800s (together with hotshot William Antonio) for Dwight Lago, Boybits Victoria, and Nic Belasco.

Pop Cola, Red Bull, Career Milestone and Retirement

Asaytono's second stint Pop Cola was a forgettable one, as he started to slow down as he was still at the bench. He spent his last four seasons with the Red Bull Barako until the 2005-06 season.

On April 7, 2005, he passed Crispa great Philip Cezar for the fifth spot all-time scoring list after tallying with 17 points on 6-of-9 shooting. Currently, he is fifth in the PBA all-time scoring list with 12,268 total points in 796 career games, behind only Ramon Fernandez, Abet Guidaben, Alvin Patrimonio and Atoy Co.

Non-inclusion in the 40 Greatest PBA Players of All-Time

Many basketball fans and even basketball experts and former PBA players are disappointed that Nelson Asaytono was not included on the 40 Greatest PBA Players of All-Time. Majority says that Nelson Asaytono's achievement should have been recognized by including him to the list. Asaytono is the fifth all-time leading scorer of the PBA behind only such great players Ramon Fernandez, Abet Guidaben, Alvin Patrimonio and Atoy CO

Statistics

Correct as of the 2005-06 season