The 2019 PBA season was the 44th season of the Philippine Basketball Association. The league continued to use the three-conference format, starting with the Philippine Cup. The Commissioner's Cup and the Governors' Cup are the second and third conferences in the upcoming season.
Due to the major adjustments in the league calendar, the start of the league's 44th season was set to January 13, 2019. This was the first time since 2003 that the league opened their season in January or February. The PBA Leo Awards will be held during the opening ceremonies of the 2019 season while the 2018 PBA draft is set on December 16.Leo Awards ushers in PBA 44th season opener on Jan 13, PBA.ph, September 11, 2018 The schedule is also affected by the Philippine national team's participation in the 2019 FIBA Basketball World Cup and the Southeast Asian Games.
The 2019 PBA All-Star Game was played from March 29 to 31, 2019 at Calasiao, Pangasinan.
Executive board Commissioner: Willie Marcial Chairman: Ricky Vargas (Representing TNT KaTropa) Vice-Chairman: Richard Bachmann (Representing Alaska Aces) Treasurer: Raymond T. Zorrilla (Representing Phoenix Pulse Fuel Masters)
Teams Team Company Governor Coach Captain Alaska Aces Alaska Milk Corporation Richard Bachmann Alex Compton JVee Casio Barangay Ginebra San Miguel Ginebra San Miguel, Inc. Alfrancis Chua Tim Cone LA Tenorio Blackwater Elite Ever Bilena Cosmetics, Inc. Silliman Sy Bong Ramos Mike Cortez Columbian Dyip Columbian Autocar Corporation Bobby Rosales Johnedel Cardel Glenn Khobuntin Magnolia Hotshots Pambansang Manok San Miguel Pure Foods Company, Inc. Rene Pardo Chito Victolero Rafi Reavis Meralco Bolts Manila Electric Company Al Panlilio Norman Black Reynel Hugnatan NLEX Road Warriors Metro Pacific Investments Corporation Rodrigo Franco Yeng Guiao Asi Taulava NorthPort Batang Pier Sultan 900 Capital, Inc. Eric Arejola Pido Jarencio Sean Anthony Phoenix Pulse Fuel Masters Phoenix Petroleum Philippines, Inc. Raymond Zorrilla Louie Alas LA Revilla Rain or Shine Elasto Painters Asian Coatings Philippines, Inc. Mamerto Mondragon Caloy Garcia Gabe Norwood San Miguel Beermen San Miguel Brewery, Inc. Robert Non Leo Austria Arwind Santos TNT KaTropa Smart Communications Ricky Vargas Bong Ravena Jayson Castro
Arenas Like several Metro Manila-centric leagues, most games are held at arenas within Metro Manila, either the Smart Araneta Coliseum or the Mall of Asia Arena, and sometimes, in the Ynares Center in Antipolo. Games outside this area are called "out-of-town" games, and are usually played on Saturdays. Provincial arenas usually host one game, rarely two; these arenas typically host only once per season, but a league may return within a season if the turnout is satisfactory.
Typically, all playoff games are held in Metro Manila arenas, although playoff and Finals games have been seldom played in the provinces.
Main arenas Quezon CityPasaySmart Araneta Coliseum Mall of Asia Arena Pasay Antipolo, RizalCuneta Astrodome Ynares Center
Out-of-town arenas
Highlighted are playoff games. Arena City Date Match-upPhilippine Arena Bocaue, Bulacan January 13, 2019 Barangay Ginebra vs. TNT Calasiao Sports Complex Calasiao, Pangasinan January 26, 2019 Barangay Ginebra vs. Rain or Shine Davao del Sur Coliseum Digos, Davao del Sur February 9, 2019 Barangay Ginebra vs. Blackwater Xavier University Gym Cagayan de Oro March 2, 2019 Meralco vs. Magnolia July 13, 2019 Rain or Shine vs. San MiguelPanabo Multi-Purpose Tourism, Sports and Cultural Center Panabo, Davao del Norte March 16, 2019 San Miguel vs. Phoenix AUF Sports Arena and Cultural Center Angeles March 23, 2019 NLEX vs. Barangay Ginebra Batangas City Sports Center Batangas City June 23, 2019 Columbian vs. Rain or ShineBarangay Ginebra vs. NLEXMayor Vitaliano D. Agan Coliseum Zamboanga City June 29, 2019 Magnolia vs. MeralcoSanta Rosa Sports Complex Santa Rosa, Laguna September 29, 2019 Blackwater vs. NLEXAlaska vs. San MiguelHoops Dome Lapu-Lapu City November 9, 2019 San Miguel vs. Rain or ShineUniversity of Southeastern Philippines Gym Davao City November 16, 2019 TNT vs MagnoliaQuezon Convention Center Lucena January 10, 2020 Barangay Ginebra vs. Meralco
These games were played outside the Philippines:
Arena City Date Match-upCoca-Cola Arena Dubai, United Arab Emirates October 4, 2019 San Miguel vs. NLEXOctober 5, 2019 NLEX vs. Barangay Ginebra
Transactions
Retirement January 4, 2019: Jett Manuel officially announced his retirement after playing one season in the league for the Barangay Ginebra San Miguel franchise.Jett Manuel declines one-year Ginebra extension in favor of family business, Reuben Terrado, spin.ph, January 5, 2019 January 8, 2019: Chris Tiu officially announced his retirement after playing six seasons in the league for the Rain or Shine Elasto Painters franchise.It's official: Chris Tiu retires from basketball, Randolph Leongson, spin.ph, January 8, 2019 April 4, 2019: Josh Urbiztondo officially announced his retirement after playing eight seasons in the league. April 12, 2019: Rico Maierhofer officially announced his retirement after playing eight seasons in the league. November 14, 2019: Doug Kramer officially announced his retirement after playing 12 seasons in the league.
Coaching changes Team Outgoing coach Manner of departure Date of vacancy Replaced with Date of appointment Ref.Blackwater Elite Bong Ramos Fired Philippine Cup Aries Dimaunahan (interim) April 4, 2019 Alaska Aces Alex Compton Resigned Governors' Cup Jeffrey Cariaso August 22, 2019 Blackwater Elite Aries Dimaunahan (interim) End of contract Governors' Cup Nash Racela November 27, 2019
Rule changes The PBA competition committee approved the rule changes for implementation starting in the Philippine Cup games: Rule changes (effective for the 2019 PBA Philippine Cup) Goaltending violations will be subject for review for the duration of a match. The FIBA rule for traveling violations (also known as the 0-step rule) will be adopted. (a player who catches the ball while he is progressing, or upon completion of a dribble, may take two steps in coming to a stop, passing, or shooting the ball.) Coaches are now allowed to call timeouts verbally. The old rule requires coaches to make the "time-out" sign before the timeout request will be granted.
Notable events The PBA Board of Governors decided to retain Ricky Vargas of TNT KaTropa as the Board Chairman. Subsequently, Dickie Bachmann of Alaska and Raymond Zorilla of Phoenix were retained as Vice-Chairman and Treasurer respectively.PBA board retains TNT's Ricky Vargas as chairman, Randolph Leongson, spin.ph, January 9, 2019
Philippine Cup February 17: A legends game organized by the PBA Legends Foundation and Breakthrough and Milestones Productions International (UNTV) entitled PBA Legends: Return of the Rivals was held at the Smart Araneta Coliseum. Former players from the Alaska Milkmen and the San Miguel Beermen played in the first game, while former players from Purefoods Hotdogs and the Ginebra San Miguel played in the second game. March 1: The 2019 season schedule will be modified to accommodate the preparations of the Philippine men's basketball team for the FIBA Basketball World Cup to be held in September and the Southeast Asian Games on December. The season may be extended up to January 2020.PBA makes 'supreme sacrifice' as Team Pilipinas prepares for FIBA World Cup, PBA.ph, March 1, 2019 April 9: PBA referee Guillermo "Emy" Tangkion died after collapsing during their referee's workout at the JSCGO Gymnasium. A moment of silence was observed the following day before the start of the quarterfinals match between the San Miguel Beermen and the TNT KaTropa.PBA ref Emmanuel Tangkion dies during workout on league's 44th anniversary, Gerry Ramos, spin.ph, April 9, 2019
Commissioner's Cup May 16: A rule change was made to be implemented starting the Commissioner's Cup that will allow a video review if a shot was made before or after the expiration of the 24-second shotclock throughout the game. Before the rule change, a video review is only possible if the shot was made in the last two minutes of the game. The rule change was made in light of the controversial shot made by Magnolia's Rome dela Rosa during Game 7 of their best-of-seven semifinals series against Rain or Shine, at the 3:30 mark of the 4th quarter. The referees counted his three-point basket even though replays showed that the ball was still in his hands when the shotclock expired.PBA makes rule change in aftermath of Dela Rosa shotclock blunder, Reuben Terrado, spin.ph, May 16, 2019 May 19: The PBA began using the Molten BG5000 basketball as their official tournament ball. The same ball will be used during the 2019 FIBA Basketball World Cup.Mixed reactions from PBA players over new basketball, Reuben Terrado, spin.ph, May 20, 2019 June 4: Calvin Abueva of the Phoenix Pulse Fuel Masters was indefinitely suspended by PBA Commissioner Willie Marcial after he was involved in two on-court incidents during Phoenix's games against Blackwater Elite and TNT KaTropa. On May 31, Abueva was involved in a verbal altercation against Ray Parks' girlfriend Maika Rivera and did lewd gestures to her after their win against Blackwater. On June 2, he clotheslined TNT's import Terrence Jones. Abueva was also fined a total of P70,000 for both incidents.Calvin Abueva fined P70,000, suspended indefinitely, PBA.ph, June 4, 2019 August 14: During the second quarter of game five of the PBA Commissioner's Cup, Arwind Santos made "monkey gestures" at the San Miguel bench addressing Jones after the latter committed a foul. Initially he refused to apologize stating "I’m going to apologize? No. It depends on him. If he was annoyed, he’s a real monkey."Arwind Santos not sorry for monkey gesture towards Terrence Jones, Denison Rey A. Dalupang, Philippine Daily Inquirer, August 15, 2019Translated from the Filipino language: "..."Sorry ako? Hindi. Depende ’yun sa kanya. Kung mapipikon siya, totoong monkey siya. Kung di ka mapipikon, di ka monkey.". PBA Commissioner Willie Marcial summoned Santos the following day and was fined P200,000, 100 hours of community services. Santos will also undergo counseling on equality and racial discrimination.Arwind Santos fined P200k, required to do counseling for racial taunt, Celest Flores-Colina, Philippine Daily Inquirer, August 15, 2019 Santos later posted a public apology through his Twitter and Instagram accounts.
Opening ceremonies The opening ceremonies for this season were held at the Philippine Arena in Bocaue, Bulacan on January 13, 2019. The PBA Leo Awards for the 2017–18 season were held before the opening ceremonies.In break from tradition, PBA Leo Awards to kick off season on January 13, Reuben Terrado, spin.ph, December 26, 2018
The first game of the Philippine Cup between the Barangay Ginebra San Miguel and the TNT KaTropa was played after the opening ceremonies.It’s TNT KaTropa against Barangay Ginebra in PBA season-opener, Randolph Leongson, spin.ph, January 8, 2019
Below is the list of team muses: Team Muse Ref. Alaska Aces Klea Pineda PBA muses: Wurtzbach for Ginebra, Alyssa for NLEX, Sharon for Magnolia, Reuben Terrado, spin.ph, January 8, 2019 Barangay Ginebra San Miguel Pia Wurtzbach Blackwater Elite Myla Pablo and Jasmine Alkhaldi Columbian Dyip Kelley Day PBA Sidelights: Sharon Cuneta a surprise muse, Joaquin Henson, Philippine Star, January 10, 2019 Magnolia Hotshots Pambansang Manok Sharon Cuneta Meralco Bolts Eva Patalinjug NLEX Road Warriors Alyssa Valdez Alyssa Valdez is NLEX muse at 2019 PBA Opening, Rappler, January 8, 2019 NorthPort Batang Pier Aya Fernandez Phoenix Pulse Fuel Masters Yam Concepcion Rain or Shine Elasto Painters Anie Uson San Miguel Beermen Kylie Verzosa TNT KaTropa Sam Pinto
2019 PBA Philippine Cup The 2019 Philippine Cup started on January 13, and ended on May 15, 2019.
Elimination round
Playoffs
Quarterfinals