Long before he became a household name in the Philippine Basketball Association (PBA), Cresencio “Dondon” Ampalayo was actually commanding a different kind of net. Because of his striking height, he initially gravitated toward volleyball. However, destiny eventually steered him to the basketball court, landing him a spot with the University of San Jose-Recoletos (USJ-R) Jaguars.
It was in Cebu where the magic truly began. Ampalayo paired up with a lethal scoring guard named Jojo Lastimosa, forming a devastating 1-2 punch that completely dominated the Cebu Amateur Athletic Association (CAAA) throughout the early 1980s.
Looking for bigger challenges, Ampalayo took his talents to Manila, showcasing his elite skillset for ESQ Marketing in the Philippine Amateur Basketball League (PABL). His stellar amateur run made him one of the most coveted prospects in the land, and in 1986, the crowd-favorite Barangay Ginebra San Miguel selected him as the third overall pick in the PBA Draft.
Ampalayo didn’t just enter the PBA; he took it by storm. Boasting a rare combination of size and finesse, “The Magician” seamlessly adapted to the pro ranks. His dazzling rookie campaign earned him the 1986 Rookie of the Year (ROY) award, and more importantly, he served as a vital cog in helping Ginebra capture the historic 1986 Open Conference crown under playing-coach Robert Jaworski.
By 1993, the winds of change blew. Ampalayo was traded to the rising Alaska Milkmen in exchange for forward Bobby Jose. The move proved to be a nostalgic and successful final chapter. Not only did it allow him to secure his fourth PBA championship, but it also reunited him with his old college partner-in-crime, Jojo Lastimosa.
At 6’3″, Ampalayo was ahead of his time—a prototype of the modern “tweener” who perfectly bridged the gap between a small forward and a power forward. He possessed the towering frame to battle in the trenches, yet his exceptional agility and precise footwork gave him a distinct quickness advantage over traditional big men.
Sadly, the heavy physical toll of his style of play caught up with him. Persistent and nagging knee injuries ultimately robbed fans of his prime, forcing Ampalayo into an early retirement in 1995. Though his career was cut short, Dondon Ampalayo remains etched in PBA lore as a generational talent who brought pure magic to the golden era of Philippine basketball.