Mallari PBA Stats Reveal His Impact on the Court This Season

I still remember watching Aaron Mallari’s first game back after his injury layoff. There was a certain hesitation in his movements—nothing drastic, but as someone who’s followed PBA for years, you notice these things. He wasn’t the explosive, instinctive player I remembered, at least not right away. But then, a few games into the season, something shifted. You could see it in the way he drove to the basket, in his defensive stops, in that quiet confidence slowly returning. It reminded me of something he said in a recent interview: “At first, parang hindi pa ako confident sa sarili ko kasi I've been through a lot. Pero ayun nga, I'm just really happy na one step at a time akong bumabalik.” That phrase—one step at a time—stuck with me. It’s not just a cliché for Mallari; it’s the blueprint of his season. And honestly, his stats this year tell that story better than any highlight reel could.

Let’s talk numbers, because they don’t lie. This season, Mallari is averaging 14.8 points, 6.2 rebounds, and 4.5 assists per game. Those aren’t just solid numbers—they’re impactful. He’s shooting at a 46% clip from the field, and while his three-point percentage sits at around 34%, it’s his decision-making in clutch moments that stands out. In their last five games, he’s been on the floor for an average of 32 minutes, and the team’s net rating with him on court is +7.3. When he sits, it drops to -1.9. That’s a swing you can’t ignore. I’ve always believed that the best players aren’t just stat-sheet stuffers; they make everyone around them better. Mallari does that. He’s not always the one taking the last shot, but he’s often the one creating the opportunity. His assist-to-turnover ratio of 2.8 is one of the best among local guards this conference, and if you ask me, that’s where his real value shines. He’s patient, he reads defenses well, and he doesn’t force plays. It’s a maturity you don’t always see in players coming back from long absences.

But stats only tell part of the story. What’s more compelling, at least from my perspective, is the intangible impact he brings. Defense, for instance. Mallari might not be the quickest guy on the floor, but his positioning and basketball IQ are top-notch. He averages 1.8 steals per game, but it’s the deflections, the disrupted passes, the help defense that stats don’t always capture. I rewatched their game against Ginebra last week, and there was a sequence where he switched twice on defense, forced a bad pass, and ignited a fast break. Stuff like that energizes the whole team. You can see it in their body language—when Mallari is locked in, the entire squad elevates. It’s leadership by example, something you can’t quantify but you can definitely feel. And let’s be real—in a league as physical and fast-paced as the PBA, that kind of presence is gold.

Of course, it hasn’t been a smooth ride. Early in the season, there were games where he looked… careful. Almost too careful. You could tell he was thinking instead of reacting. He admitted as much in that interview—the lack of confidence, the weight of what he’d been through. Injuries don’t just affect the body; they mess with your head. I’ve spoken to a few players over the years, and that mental hurdle is often the toughest to clear. But Mallari’s approach—one step at a time—is why he’s thriving now. He didn’t try to do too much too soon. He focused on his conditioning, his timing, his rhythm. And the results are showing. In their most recent outing, he dropped 22 points, grabbed 8 boards, and dished out 6 dimes. More importantly, he played 38 minutes and looked fresh in crunch time. That’s the kind of progression you love to see as a fan and an analyst.

So, where does that leave us? Mallari’s impact this season goes beyond the box score. He’s a stabilizer, a playmaker, and slowly but surely, he’s reclaiming his identity as one of the league’s most versatile guards. His stats are impressive, sure, but it’s the narrative behind them that resonates. The gradual return to form, the mental resilience, the quiet leadership—it’s what makes sports compelling. Personally, I’m excited to see where he goes from here. If he maintains this trajectory, I wouldn’t be surprised to see him in the conversation for Best Player of the Conference. But even if he doesn’t, his contribution this season has already been significant. He’s not just back; he’s better. And in a league that never stops moving, that’s saying something.