2020 PBA season
 | |
| Duration | March 8 – 11, 2020 (before first suspension) October 11 - 29, 2020 (resumption, second suspension) November 3, 2020 – present (second resumption) |
| Number of teams | 12 |
| TV partner(s) | Local: One Sports TV5 One Sports PBA Rush (HD) International: AksyonTV International Online: ESPN Player |
| 2019 PBA draft | |
| Top draft pick | Roosevelt Adams[n 1] |
| Picked by | Columbian Dyip |
| Philippine Cup champions | TBD |
The 2020 PBA season is the 45th season of the Philippine Basketball Association.
Due to the major adjustments in the last season's league calendar, the start of the league's 45th season was set on March 1, 2020 at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.[1] However, the start of the 2020 season has been delayed until at least March 8 due to concerns over the COVID-19 pandemic.[2]
The PBA Leo Awards for the 2019 season were held before the opening ceremonies.[1] The first official activity for this season was the 2019 PBA draft, held before the semifinals of the 2019 PBA Governors' Cup.[3]
The season was suspended on March 11, three days after its opening ceremonies, due to the COVID-19 pandemic and the enforcement of the enhanced community quarantine in Luzon.
The league initially planned to use the three-conference format, starting with the Philippine Cup. The Commissioner's Cup and the Governors' Cup were supposed to be the second and third conferences for this season.
On September 17, the PBA Board of Governors have approved a plan to restart the season on October 11 (originally on October 9), then was given a provisional approval by the Inter-Agency Task Force on Emerging Infectious Diseases (IATF-ID) on September 24. All games will be played in the "PBA bubble" at the Clark Freeport Zone in Pampanga, the isolation zone specifically created for league operations.[4][5]
This will be the first time that the league will play only one tournament or conference in a season.
Executive board
- Commissioner: WIllie Marcial (Commissioner)
- Chairman: Ricky Vargas (Representing TNT Tropang Giga)
- Vice-Chairman: Demosthenes Rosales (Representing Terrafirma Dyip)
- Treasurer: Silliman Sy (Representing Blackwater Elite)
Teams
Arenas
In a usual PBA season, 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.
Only one game day was done prior to the suspension of league activities due to COVID-19 pandemic; this was the opening day game held after the opening ceremonies at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
After the league decided to resume the season under a bubble setup, it was decided that the Clark Freeport and Special Economic Zone in Pampanga shall host the bubble, with the Angeles University Foundation hosting the actual games.[6]
| Quezon City | Angeles | |
|---|---|---|
| Smart Araneta Coliseum | AUF Sports & Cultural Center | |
 |
 |
Transactions
Retirement
- In February 2020, Yancy de Ocampo announced his retirement from the PBA. De Ocampo played for 6 franchises in his 17 seasons in the league.[7]
- On April 14, 2020, Ranidel de Ocampo announced his retirement from the PBA. De Ocampo played for 3 franchises in his 16 seasons in the league.[8]
- On September 7, 2020, Kelly Williams announced his retirement from the PBA. Williams played for 2 franchises in his 14 seasons in the league.[9]
- On September 22, 2020, Peter June Simon announced his retirement from the PBA. Simon played for the Magnolia Hotshots in his 16 seasons in the league.[10]
Coaching changes
| Team | Outgoing coach | Manner of departure | Date of vacancy | Replaced with | Date of appointment | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Phoenix Super LPG Fuel Masters | Louie Alas | Fired | September 11, 2020 | Topex Robinson (interim) | September 11, 2020 | [11] |
Notable events
- November 22, 2019: Ricky Vargas of TNT KaTropa was re-elected for a third consecutive term as the Chairman of the PBA Board of Governors. Bobby Rosales of Columbian Dyip was elected as Vice Chairman while Silliman Sy of Blackwater Elite was elected as treasurer.[12]
- February 5: Reigning five-time June Mar Fajardo suffered a leg injury, fracturing his right tibia during their team practice.[13]
- February 9: Greg Slaughter announced through his Instagram account that his contract with Barangay Ginebra San Miguel had expired and he will take an indefinite leave from basketball.[14]
- The start of the 2020 season was postponed March 8 due to concerns over the COVID-19 pandemic.[2] The opening ceremonies were originally scheduled on March 1.
- June 4: The PBA Board of Governors approved the transfer of ownership of the Columbian Dyip franchise from Columbian Autocar Corporation to its sister company, Terrafirma Realty Development Corporation. The team will carry the Terrafirma brand.[15]
- June 16: TNT KaTropa assistant coach Tab Baldwin was slapped with a three-game suspension plus a P75,000 fine by the commissioner's office for his comments on the league's officiating, tournament format and assessment of local coaches during a podcast.[16] On June 25, he was fired by TNT as their assistant coach.[17]
- July 6: Barangay Ginebra San Miguel's Japeth Aguilar and Rain or Shine Elasto Painters's Adrian Wong were fined P20,000 each after both players were seen playing five-on-five basketball a week earlier. They were also ordered to undergo a swab test and take a 14-day quarantine.[18] The league announced on March that all player practices are banned indefinitely due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
- July 15: Blackwater Elite team owner Dioceldo Sy announced that he is planning to sell their PBA franchise for P150 million.[19] This is after the PBA and the Games and Amusements Board considered to give sanctions against the team for violating league and health protocols following the alleged workout the team did on July 11. PBA Commissioner Willie Marcial slapped a P100,000 fine and required all players to undergo a swab-test.[20]
- August 1: The Blackwater Elite will be renamed as the "Blackwater Bossing" starting in the 2021 season.[21] Team owner Dioceldo Sy also retracted his plan to sell the team's franchise.[22]
- September 26: The TNT KaTropa will be renamed as the "TNT Tropang Giga" upon the resumption of the Philippine Cup on October 11.[23]
- September 30: The PBA D-League's Aspirants' Cup has been officially cancelled. Majority of the participating teams have collegiate or amateur players and the IATF-EID only allowed professional players to participate in practices and scrimmages.[24]
- October 16: The San Miguel Beermen wore their throwback 1992 jerseys for the first time. The retro jerseys, which also features the PBA logo used from 1989 to 1992, will be worn in select games for the duration of the Philippine Cup in honor of the 130th anniversary of the San Miguel Pale Pilsen product.[25]
- October 21: The league announced that a referee tested positive for COVID-19.
- October 24: The Alaska Aces wore their throwback 1996 jerseys in honor of the team that won the franchise's grandslam.[26]
- October 25: The indefinite suspension on Phoenix Super LPG Fuel Masters' Calvin Abueva was lifted.[27]
- October 25: In a separate press conference, PBA Commissioner Willie Marcial announced that one of the players of Blackwater Elite tested positive for COVID-19.
- November 1: Topex Robinson has been appointed as the full-time head coach of the Phoenix Super LPG Fuel Masters.[28]
Opening ceremony
The opening ceremony for this season was held at the Smart Araneta Coliseum in Quezon City on March 8, 2020. The PBA Leo Awards for the 2019 season was held before the opening ceremonies.
The first game of the Philippine Cup between the San Miguel Beermen and the Magnolia Hotshots was played after the opening ceremonies.
2020 PBA Philippine Cup
The 2020 Philippine Cup started on March 8, 2020. The opening game which won by the San Miguel Beermen against the Magnolia Hotshots, 94–78, was the only game played for the tournament before the start of the quarantine period.[29]
Elimination round
| Pos | Team | W | L | PCT | GB | Qualification |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Barangay Ginebra San Miguel | 8 | 3 | .727[a] | — | Twice-to-beat in quarterfinals |
| 2 | Phoenix Super LPG Fuel Masters | 8 | 3 | .727[a] | — | |
| 3 | TNT Tropang Giga | 7 | 4 | .636[b] | 1 | |
| 4 | San Miguel Beermen | 7 | 4 | .636[b] | 1 | |
| 5 | Meralco Bolts | 7 | 4 | .636[b] | 1 | Twice-to-win in quarterfinals |
| 6 | Alaska Aces | 7 | 4 | .636[b] | 1 | |
| 7 | Magnolia Hotshots Pambansang Manok | 7 | 4 | .636[b] | 1 | |
| 8 | Rain or Shine Elasto Painters | 6 | 5 | .545 | 2 | |
| 9 | NLEX Road Warriors | 5 | 6 | .455 | 3 | |
| 10 | Blackwater Elite | 2 | 9 | .182 | 6 | |
| 11 | NorthPort Batang Pier | 1 | 10 | .091[c] | 7 | |
| 12 | Terrafirma Dyip | 1 | 10 | .091[c] | 7 |
Rules for classification: 1) winning percentage; 2) if two teams are tied, head to head record; if three or more teams are tied, head-to-head goal average (quotient), if tied for 8th, one-game playoff; 3) overall quotient 4) coin toss[30]
Notes:
Playoffs
Bracket
| Quarterfinals | Semifinals (best-of-5) | Finals (best-of-7) | ||||||||||||
| (#1 twice-to-beat) | ||||||||||||||
| 1 | Barangay Ginebra | 81 | ||||||||||||
| 8 | Rain or Shine | 73 | ||||||||||||
| 1 | Barangay Ginebra | 3 | ||||||||||||
| (#4 twice-to-beat) | ||||||||||||||
| 5 | Meralco | 2 | ||||||||||||
| 4 | San Miguel | 71 | 68 | |||||||||||
| 5 | Meralco | 78 | 90 | |||||||||||
| 1 | Barangay Ginebra | 4 | ||||||||||||
| (#2 twice-to-beat) | ||||||||||||||
| 3 | TNT | 1 | ||||||||||||
| 2 | Phoenix Super LPG | 89 | ||||||||||||
| 7 | Magnolia | 88 | ||||||||||||
| 2 | Phoenix Super LPG | 2 | ||||||||||||
| (#3 twice-to-beat) | ||||||||||||||
| 3 | TNT | 3 | ||||||||||||
| 3 | TNT | 104 | ||||||||||||
| 6 | Alaska | 83 | ||||||||||||
Quarterfinals
| Team 1 | Series | Team 2 | 1st leg | 2nd leg |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Barangay Ginebra San Miguel* | 1–0 | Rain or Shine Elasto Painters | 81–73 | — |
| Phoenix Super LPG Fuel Masters* | 1–0 | Magnolia Hotshots | 89–88 | — |
| TNT Tropang Giga* | 1–0 | Alaska Aces | 104–83 | — |
| San Miguel Beermen* | 0–2 | Meralco Bolts | 71–78 | 68–90 |
*Team has twice-to-beat advantage.
Semifinals
| Team 1 | Series | Team 2 | Game 1 | Game 2 | Game 3 | Game 4 | Game 5 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Barangay Ginebra San Miguel | 2–2 | Meralco Bolts | 96–79 | 77–95 | 91–84 | 80–83 | Nov 27 |
| Phoenix Super LPG Fuel Masters | 2–2 | TNT Tropang Giga | 92–95 | 110–103 | 92–89 | 101–102 | Nov 27 |
Suspension and restart of Philippine Cup
On March 11, hours before Rudy Gobert tested positive for COVID-19 (causing the NBA to suspend its season), the PBA Board of Governors postponed the games of the Philippine Cup due to the COVID-19 pandemic and the enforcement of the Enhanced Community Quarantine in Luzon.[31] They have also decided to indefinitely postpone the ongoing PBA D-League Aspirants' Cup and the launching of the PBA 3x3 league.
On April 7, the PBA Board of Governors have decided to shorten the season to a two-conference format during their special meeting. There is also a possibility that the season will only have a single conference if the Enhanced Community Quarantine in Luzon will be further extended until April 30.[32]
After the Enhanced Community Quarantine in Metro Manila and nearby provinces was extended until May 31, the Board of Governors have decided to set a deadline on August if the season will still be continued with a single tournament or if it will be cancelled.[33][34]
On July 3, the Inter-Agency Task Force on Emerging Infectious Diseases (IATF-ID) announced that training for professional basketball and football are allowed after the PBA and Philippines Football League together with the Philippine Sports Commission, Games and Amusements Board and the Department of Health drafted guidelines for training for areas under General Community Quarantine (GCQ) and Modified General Community Quarantines (MGCQ).[35] Metro Manila was classified as a GCQ area since June 1.[36] The IATF-ID Joint Administrative Order was released on July 24.[37]
The planned player swab testing and resumption of team practices were postponed after Metro Manila and surrounding provinces were put under Modified Enhanced Community Quarantine (MECQ) on August 3 due to the surge of COVID-19 cases.[38]
After Metro Manila returned to General Community Quarantine status on August 19, the player swab testing were immediately done. The teams resumed their training sessions on August 25.[39]
The league planned to resume the Philippine Cup in a "bubble setup" similar on how the NBA implemented their own bubble. The Araneta City in Cubao, the Inspire Sports Academy in Calamba, Laguna and the Clark Freeport Zone in Pampanga were considered as venues for the PBA bubble.[40]
The PBA Board of Governors decided to hold the "PBA bubble" at the Clark Freeport Zone in Pampanga during their meeting on September 17. The games will be played at the Angeles University Foundation gymnasium while the players will stay at the Quest Hotel inside Clark.[4] The league also plans to resume the Philippine Cup by October 11 if the league gets the approval from the IATF-ID.[5] On September 24, the IATF-ID gave the league a provisional approval to have scrimmages and five-on-five games.[41] The 12 teams of PBA arrived in Clark by batches on September 28 and 29, 2020.[42]
On October 6, the league published its complete eliminations schedule. The elimination round games of the Philippine Cup will be played daily with two games scheduled per day with a lone triple-header scheduled on October 31.[43] The league also decided to retain the results of the San Miguel Beermen's 94–78 win over the Magnolia Hotshots on March 8, 2020; the only game played prior to the suspension of the Philippine Cup.[44]
On October 21, the league announced that one of the referees that officiated the Blackwater-Alaska game a day before have tested positive for COVID-19. The referee was sent to the Athlete's Village in Capas, Tarlac. The said facility was used during the 2019 Southeast Asian Games and as the primary quarantine facility for OFWs during the pandemic. The said referee was tested negative on his RT-PCR test four days after. On the same day, it was announced that one of the players of Blackwater Elite was tested positive for COVID-19. [45]
As a result, three games involving TNT and Blackwater have been postponed as of October 29. The games will be rescheduled on a later date once the approval from the IATF-EID will be given.[46]
On October 30, 2020, the league announced through their social media accounts that the games will be postponed to ensure the integrity of the PBA bubble and until the new protocols set by the IATF-EID and the Department of Health are in place.[47][48][49]
The following day, the PBA announced that they will resume its games on Tuesday, November 3 after the IATF-EID issued the following new guidelines:
- Completion of 10-day isolation of Blackwater player from the date of swabbing before resuming the games.
- Completion of 14-day quarantine and testing before entering the bubble for all those who will test positive moving forward; and
- The appointment of an independent marshal, who shall oversee and ensure compliance with health and safety protocols, as recommended by the DILG.
A quarantine facility will be set up within the Clark bubble for future COVID-19 positive cases.[50]
In order for the league to finish the elimination round by November 11, two to four games will be scheduled per day. This will be the first time that the PBA will have a quadruple-header game day.[51]
Notes
- ^ The 2019 draft was composed of two drafts: the Gilas special draft, which consists of 5 players reserved for the Gilas Pilipinas program, and the regular draft. Isaac Go was selected as the first pick in the Gilas special draft. Adams (College of Idaho) was selected by Columbian Dyip as the first pick of the regular draft.
References
- ^ a b PBA yearend awards to be handed out again on season opening night, Gerry Ramos, spin.ph, January 14, 2020
- ^ a b "PBA PBA, D-League 2020 season opening postponed due to novel coronavirus". Rappler. 10 February 2020. Retrieved 10 February 2020.
- ^ Columbian nabs Isaac Go as No. 1 pick in PBA Draft 2019, Delfin Dioquino, Rappler, December 8, 2019
- ^ a b PBA to hold 'bubble season' at Clark Freeport Zone in Pampanga, Reuben Terrado, spin.ph, September 17, 2020
- ^ a b IATF provisional clearance paves way for PBA scrimmages, games in Clark bubble, Gerry Ramos, spin.ph, September 24, 2020
- ^ Bacnis, Justine (September 17, 2020). "Clark to host PBA Season 45 bubble". Tiebreaker Times. Retrieved September 17, 2020.
- ^ "Yancy de Ocampo firm on retirement despite SMB need to fill Fajardo void". Spin.ph. 2020-02-07. Retrieved 2020-02-07.
- ^ "Gilas hero and PBA veteran Ranidel De Ocampo announces retirement void". Spin.ph. 2020-04-14. Retrieved 2020-04-15.
- ^ "Former PBA MVP Kelly Williams announces retirement at age 38". Spin.ph. 2020-09-07. Retrieved 2020-09-07.
- ^ "Magnolia lifer PJ Simon retires from PBA". Rappler. 2020-09-07. Retrieved 2020-09-23.
- ^ "Phoenix fires Louie Alas, appoints Topex Robinson interim coach". Spin.ph.
- ^ Ricky Vargas reelected PBA chairman to a third term; BoG extend Draft list-up for Fil-foreign players, PBA.ph, November 22, 2019
- ^ San Miguel’s June Mar Fajardo suffers leg fracture, out indefinitely, Mark Giongco, Philippine Daily Inquirer, February 5, 2020
- ^ Greg Slaughter takes indefinite break from basketball, Luisa Morales, The Philippine Star, February 9, 2020
- ^ Dyip set to carry Terra Firma banner, PBA.ph, June 4, 2020
- ^ Tab Baldwin fined P75,000, suspended three games by PBA, Reuben Terrado, spin.ph, June 16, 2020
- ^ Tab Baldwin fired from TNT coaching post—sources, Bong Lozada, Philippine Daily Inquirer, June 25, 2020
- ^ Wong fined P20K by PBA, ordered to take swab test, Mark Giongco, Philippine Daily Inquirer, July 6, 2020
- ^ Blackwater eyes PBA exit, puts franchise up for sale for P150M, Abac Cordero, The Philippine Star, July 15, 2020
- ^ Blackwater owner Sy 'offended, deeply hurt' by PBA, GAB actions, Gerry Ramos, spin.ph, July 17, 2020
- ^ Goodbye, Elite. Hello, Bossing as Blackwater to adopt new moniker, Gerry Ramos, spin.ph, August 1, 2020
- ^ Blackwater upgrades from Elite to Bossing, Justine Bacnis, Tiebreaker Times, August 1, 2020
- ^ TnT carries Tropang Giga moniker heading to PBA Clark bubble, Gerry Ramos, spin.ph, September 26, 2020
- ^ As PBA gears up for resumption, D-League cancels season, Randolph Leongson, spin.ph, September 30, 2020
- ^ LOOK: Throwback 90s jerseys which SMB will wear inside PBA bubble, Reuben Terrado, spin.ph, October 3, 2020
- ^ Alaska unveils '96 grand slam retro jersey in game against old rival SMB, Gerry Ramos, spin.ph, October 24, 2020
- ^ Abueva Suspension Lifted, PBA.ph, October 25, 2020
- ^ Phoenix appoints Topex Robinson as full-time head coach, Gerry Ramos, spin.ph, November 1, 2020
- ^ Tautuaa steps up in Fajardo's absence, powers SMB in rout of Magnolia, PBA.ph, March 8, 2020
- ^ "ALL ABOUT THE PBA QUOTIENT". 2012-12-10. Retrieved 25 November 2018.
- ^ PBA Board of Governors cancel games as corona virus continues to spread, PBA.ph, March 11, 2020
- ^ PBA board decides to shorten Season 45, PBA.ph, April 7, 2020
- ^ PBA board opts to wait until August to decide on season fate, PBA.ph, May 2, 2020
- ^ Cancelling season now a possibility as PBA to decide by August, Reuben Terrado, spin.ph, May 2, 2020
- ^ Boost for PBA as IATF clears resumption of pro basketball, football training, spin.ph, July 3, 2020
- ^ Duterte approves GCQ for Metro Manila starting June 1, Pia Ranada, Rappler, May 28, 2020
- ^ It's official: PBA teams can resume workouts, PBA.ph, July 27, 2020
- ^ PBA to stay the course even as NCR back in MECQ, pba.ph, August 3, 2020
- ^ Barangay Ginebra first to hit the courts as PBA teams return to training, spin.ph, August 25, 2020
- ^ PBA teams bound to shoulder enormous cost of mounting a bubble, Reuben Terrado, August 25, 2020
- ^ IATF provisional clearance paves way for PBA scrimmages, games in Clark bubble, Gerry Ramos, spin.ph, September 24, 2020
- ^ https://www.bcda.gov.ph/pba-bubble-clark%E2%80%99s-safety-protocols-draw-praises-players
- ^ Ginebra-Magnolia Philippine Cup bubble battle set Oct. 25, Reuben Terrado, spin.ph, October 6, 2020
- ^ Terrado, Jonas (October 6, 2020). "PBA releases official schedule; doubleheaders start Sunday". Manila Bulletin. Retrieved October 6, 2020.
- ^ The longest week in Clark, Jeremiah Sevilla, Manila Bulletin, October 25, 2020
- ^ Blackwater in state of anxiety as one player remains in isolation, spin.ph, October 28, 2020
- ^ Dioquino, Delfin (October 30, 2020). "PBA puts Philippine Cup 2020 on hold". Rappler. Retrieved October 30, 2020.
- ^ Lozada, Bong (October 30, 2020). "PBA postpones games starting Friday per IATF recommendation". Philippine Daily Inquirer. Retrieved October 30, 2020.
- ^ Villanueva, Eros (October 30, 2020). "PBA postpones games starting Friday 'in compliance with IATF recommendation'". EPSN5. Retrieved October 30, 2020.
- ^ Villanueva, Eros (October 31, 2020). "PBA games resume Tuesday, additional protocols in place". PBA.ph. Retrieved October 31, 2020.
- ^ Ramos, Gerry (November 1, 2020). "PBA holds rare quadruple, triple headers to make up for bubble postponements". spin.ph. Retrieved November 1, 2020.
