2016–17 PBA season explained
The 2016–17 PBA season was the 42nd season of the Philippine Basketball Association (PBA). The league continues 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.
The first event of the season was the 2016 PBA draft, held on October 30.[1]
Executive board
Teams
Coaching changes
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
Out-of-town arenas
Highlighted are playoff games.
| Arena | City | Date | Match-up |
|---|
| Xavier University Gym | | December 17, 2016 | San Miguel vs. NLEX |
| Philippine Arena[3] | | December 25, 2016 | Mahindra vs. Blackwater
Barangay Ginebra vs. Star |
| October 22, 2017 | Barangay Ginebra vs. Meralco |
| October 25, 2017 |
| October 27, 2017 |
| Angeles University Foundation Sports Arena | | January 7, 2017 | NLEX vs. TNT |
| September 2, 2017 | San Miguel vs. Alaska |
| University of San Agustin Gym | | January 14, 2017 | Barangay Ginebra vs. Meralco |
| | January 21, 2017 | GlobalPort vs. San Miguel |
| August 26, 2017 | Barangay Ginebra vs. Alaska |
| | February 26, 2017 | Barangay Ginebra vs. San Miguel |
| October 13, 2017 | Barangay Ginebra vs. Meralco |
| | March 25, 2017 | Star vs. GlobalPort |
| University of Southeastern Philippines Gym | | April 1, 2017 | Barangay Ginebra vs. Phoenix |
| | May 6, 2017 | Rain or Shine vs. Star |
| October 4, 2017 | TNT vs. Barangay Ginebra |
| | May 20, 2017 | TNT vs. Alaska |
| | May 26, 2017 | Rain or Shine vs. GlobalPort
Barangay Ginebra vs. Blackwater |
| October 1, 2017 | Star vs. Meralco |
| | August 5, 2017 | Barangay Ginebra vs. NLEX |
| | September 9, 2017 | Star vs. Meralco |
| October 3, 2017 | |
Transactions
See main article: List of 2016–17 PBA season transactions.
Retirement
- September 10, 2016: Michael Burtscher officially announced his retirement after playing 5 seasons in the PBA.[4] [5]
- November 3, 2016: Jimmy Alapag officially announced his retirement after playing 13 seasons in the PBA.[6]
- November 18, 2016: Yousef Taha officially announced that he left the country back to his hometown Kuwait, thereby ending his PBA career. Taha, though not officially retiring, said that he left for personal reasons and "he felt that it is best for him to not continue his PBA career". Taha played for five different teams in his 4 seasons in the league.[7] However, he returned to the country to play again a year later.[8]
- November 19, 2016: Nelbert Omolon officially announced his retirement after playing 12 seasons in the PBA to focus on his agribusiness career.[9]
- November 27, 2016: Eddie Laure officially announced his retirement after playing 12 seasons in the PBA to focus on new role as coach for UST.[10]
- December 15, 2016: Rob Reyes officially announced his retirement after playing 8 seasons in the PBA.[11]
- May 7, 2017: Eric Menk officially announced his retirement after playing 16 seasons in the PBA.[12]
- September 2, 2017: Mick Pennisi officially announced his retirement after playing 17 seasons in the PBA.[13]
Coaching changes
Offseason
Philippine Cup
Notable events
Pre-season
- The Mahindra Enforcer silently changed their name to Mahindra Floodbuster. The team's new logo debuted during the league's annual draft.
- November 14 – The PBA officially launched its own smartphone application named "PBA: The App" which is currently available on Google Play and Apple App Store. The app featured news articles, scores, schedules, stats of the games and profiles of the teams and players.[18]
Philippine Cup
Commissioner's Cup
- The league took two week-long breaks during the Commissioner's Cup: first during the All-Star Week (April 26 to 30) and second during the Philippines' hosting of the SEABA Championship (May 12 to 18).
- A different All-Star Week format was adopted for this season. Three PBA All-Star teams, one each with players representing Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao pitted against Gilas Pilipinas, the men's national basketball team. Gilas Pilipinas players played for the PBA All-Star team if they hail to the game's host region.
- PBA Chairman Mikee Romero was issued with a warrant of arrest by the Manila Regional Trial Court over allegations that he stole P3.4 million from his family's company Harbour Centre Port Terminal Inc.[21] While Romero will remain as the PBA Chairman, Ramoncito Fernandez of the NLEX Road Warriors will be the acting chairman of the board of governors during Romero's absence.[22]
- April 28 – After the Luzon leg of the All-Star Week, Gilas Pilipinas coach Chot Reyes announced the 12 man lineup that will compete for the SEABA Championship. Subsequently, the All-Star Game team lineups for the Visayas leg scheduled on April 30 were altered. June Mar Fajardo and Terrence Romeo, originally supposed to play for the PBA Visayas All-Stars were transferred to the Gilas Pilipinas team. LA Tenorio and Rabeh Al-Hussaini replaced them in the PBA Visayas All-Stars lineup.
- May 28 – Barangay Ginebra San Miguel wore their throwback 1991 Ginebra San Miguel jerseys in honor of the team who won the 1991 First Conference championship coming from a 1–3 deficit.[23]
- June 14 – Barangay Ginebra San Miguel wore their throwback 1996 Ginebra San Miguel jerseys.
Governors' Cup
- The Mahindra Floodbuster changed their name to Kia Picanto. The team's new logo and uniforms debuted at the opening day of the Governors' Cup on July 19.
- August 26 – Barangay Ginebra San Miguel wore their throwback 2001 Barangay Ginebra Kings jerseys in honor of the team who won PBA championships from 2004 to 2008.
- October 22 – Game 5 of the Governors' Cup finals between Barangay Ginebra and Meralco held at the Philippine Arena set the all-time PBA finals attendance record of 36,445, breaking the previous record of 23,436 fans during Game 3 of the 2013 Commissioner's Cup between Alaska and Barangay Ginebra.[24]
- October 25 – 53,642 fans attended game 6 of the Governors' Cup finals at the Philippine Arena. This record broke the finals attendance record as well as the all-time overall attendance record of 52,612, set during the opening of 2014–15 season on October 19, 2014.[25]
- October 27 – Game 7 of the Governors' Cup finals broke the records set on October 22 and 25 as 54,086 fans watched the series clinching game between Barangay Ginebra and Meralco.[26]
Opening ceremonies
The opening ceremonies for this season was held at the Smart Araneta Coliseum in Quezon City on November 20, 2016. The first game of the Philippine Cup between the Star Hotshots and the San Miguel Beermen immediately followed.
The muses for the participating teams are as follows:
2016–17 Philippine Cup
See main article: 2016–17 PBA Philippine Cup.
Playoffs
Quarterfinals
|}|}*Team has twice-to-beat advantage. Team #1 only has to win once, while Team #2 has to win twice.
Semifinals
|}
Finals
See main article: 2016–17 PBA Philippine Cup finals. |}
2017 Commissioner's Cup
See main article: 2017 PBA Commissioner's Cup.
Playoffs
Quarterfinals
|}|}*Team has twice-to-beat advantage. Team #1 only has to win once, while Team #2 has to win twice.
Semifinals
|}
Finals
See main article: 2017 PBA Commissioner's Cup finals. |}
2017 Governors' Cup
See main article: 2017 PBA Governors' Cup.
Playoffs
Quarterfinals
|}*Team has twice-to-beat advantage. Team #1 only has to win once, while Team #2 has to win twice.
Semifinals
|}
Finals
See main article: 2017 PBA Governors' Cup finals. |}
Individual awards
Leo Awards
See main article: The PBA Leo Awards.
Awards given by the PBA Press Corps
Statistics
Individual statistical leaders
Local players
| Category | Player | Team | Statistic |
|---|
| Points per game | | | 23.2 |
| Rebounds per game | | | 12.5 |
| Assists per game | | | 7.3 |
| Steals per game | | | 2.8 |
| Blocks per game | | | 2.1 |
| Turnovers per game | | | 4.1 |
| Fouls per game | | | 3.5 |
| Minutes per game | | | 37.1 |
| FG% | | | 61.0% |
| FT% | | | 88.1% |
| 3FG% | | | 50.0% |
| Double-doubles | | | 28 | |
Import players
| Category | Player | Team | Statistic | Conference played |
|---|
| Points per game | | | 34.8 | Governors' |
| Rebounds per game | | | 22.1 | Commissioner's |
| Assists per game | | | 6.7 | Governors' |
| Steals per game | | | 2.9 | Governors' |
| Blocks per game | | | 3.2 | Governors' |
| Turnovers per game | | | 8.0 | Governors' |
| Fouls per game | | | 6.0 | Governors' |
| Minutes per game | | | 44.7 | Governors' |
| FG% | | | 64.1% | Commissioner's |
| FT% | | | 86.9% | Governors' |
| 3FG% | | | 60.0% | Commissioner's |
| Double-doubles | | | 30 | Commissioner's and Governors' |
| Triple-doubles | | | 2 | Governors' | |
Individual game highs
Local players
| Category | Player | Team | Statistic | Conference |
|---|
| Points | | | 44 | Philippine |
| Rebounds | | | 23 | Philippine |
| Assists | | | 15 | Commissioner's |
| Steals | | | 8 | Commissioner's |
| Blocks | | | 7 | Philippine |
| | Governors' |
| Three point field goals | | | 9 | Commissioner's | |
Import players
Team statistical leaders
| Category | Team | Statistic |
|---|
| Points per game | | 102.2 |
| Rebounds per game | | 51.0 |
| Assists per game | | 23.7 |
| Steals per game | | 8.0 |
| Blocks per game | | 5.8 |
| Turnovers per game | | 19.7 |
| FG% | | 45.2% |
| FT% | | 72.4% |
| 3FG% | | 35.3% | |
Cumulative standings
Playoffs
External links
Notes and References
- http://pba.inquirer.net/75166/deadlines-for-pba-rookie-aspirants-set Deadlines for PBA Rookie aspirants set
- News: PBA eyes avenues to broaden fan base. The Philippine Star. Beltran. Nelson. November 5, 2016. November 20, 2016.
- News: PBA to play Christmas Day games at Philippine Arena. Philippine Daily Inquirer. Castillo. Musong R.. November 28, 2016. November 28, 2016.
- Web site: Acosta-Delacruz. Angelo. Former PBA journeyman Michael Burtscher retires from basketball. AADC Sports. September 10, 2016.
- https://web.facebook.com/michael.burtscher.9/posts/945812098879531?_rdr Post on Facebook
- Web site: Former PBA MVP Jimmy Alapag announces retirement – this time 'for good' . November 3, 2016 . spin.ph . November 11, 2016.
- Web site: Journeyman Yousef Taha bids PBA goodbye to 'return home to my family' . Ramos . Gerry . November 18, 2016 . spin.ph . November 18, 2016.
- Web site: Globalport welcomes back Yousef Taha, signs big man to two-year deal . Ramos . Gerry . November 29, 2017 . Spin.ph . November 29, 2017.
- Web site: SMB veteran Bitoy Omolon retires at age 36, opts to focus on his agribusiness . Ramos . Gerry . November 19, 2016 . spin.ph . November 19, 2016.
- http://www.spin.ph/basketball/news/eddie-laure-ust-tigresses-assistant-coach-pba-blackwater-mahindra Eddie Laure finally steps away from PBA at 39, focuses on new role as coach
- News: End of the road for PBA journeyman Rob Reyes. Fox Sports Asia. Ulanday. John Bryan. December 15, 2016. December 15, 2016. https://web.archive.org/web/20161221070122/http://www.foxsportsasia.com/en-ph/news/end-road-pba-journeyman-rob-reyes/. December 21, 2016. dead.
- Web site: As Eric Menk calls it a career, Al Chua looks back at phenomenal rise of 'Major Pain' . Ramos . Gerry . May 7, 2017 . spin.ph . May 7, 2017.
- Web site: Mick Pennisi calls it quits after 17-year PBA career to focus on poultry business in Thailand . Ramos . Gerry . September 2, 2017 . spin.ph . September 2, 2017.
- http://cnnphilippines.com/sports/2016/10/07/NLEX-Road-Warriors-Yeng-Guiao-head-coach.html PBA: NLEX signs Yeng Guiao as head coach
- http://www.spin.ph/basketball/pba/news/chito-victolero-new-star-hotshots-coach-jason-webb-out-james-yap-trade Chito Victolero replaces Jason Webb, takes over as new Star head coach
- http://www.spin.ph/basketball/news/talk-n-text-katropa-feu-nash-racela-move-head-coach-confirmed-jong-u Nash Racela officially gets TNT KaTropa coaching post
- http://www.spin.ph/basketball/news/franz-pumaren-is-new-globalport-head-coach-as-batang-pier-debut-against-mahindra- Franz Pumaren starts calling shots for Globalport in Philippine Cup debut against Mahindra
- News: PBA launches mobile app to bring fans closer to the game. PBA.inquirer.net. Leongson. Randolph. November 15, 2016. November 20, 2016.
- http://www.spin.ph/basketball/pba/news/philippine-arena-eyed-as-venue-for-christmas-day-game-between-ginebra-and-star- Philippine Arena eyed as venue for Christmas Day game between Ginebra and Star
- http://sports.abs-cbn.com/basketball/news/2017/03/05/san-miguel-wins-perpetual-trophy-expense-ginebra-22824 San Miguel wins Perpetual trophy at the expense of Ginebra
- http://www.foxsports.ph/news/legal-family-feud-not-valid-issue-to-unseat-romero-says-cong-pineda/ Legal family feud not valid issue to unseat Romero, says Cong. Pineda
- http://www.manilatimes.net/romero-remains-pba-chairman-narvasa/311036/ Romero remains PBA chairman – Narvasa
- http://www.spin.ph/basketball/pba/news/young-ginebra-players-feel-honored-proud-wearing-retro-jersey-of-greatest-team-in-franchise-history- Modern-day Ginebra players take pride in wearing retro jersey of iconic 1991 team
- http://sports.inquirer.net/269640/game-5-2017-pba-governors-cup-sets-attendance-record-in-finals-game Game 5 at PH Arena sets attendance record in PBA Finals game
- http://www.spin.ph/basketball/pba/news/ginebra-meralco-game-six-duel-attracts-new-record-crowd-in-pba-finals- Game 6 of Ginebra-Meralco finals sets new all-time PBA attendance record
- http://sports.abs-cbn.com/basketball/news/2017/10/27/pba-crowd-record-ginebra-meralco-finals-game-7-draws-54-086-32816 PBA crowd record: Ginebra-Meralco Finals Game 7 draws 54,086
- http://pba.inquirer.net/78381/parade-beauty-pba-sunday-opening A parade of beauty in PBA Sunday Opening
- News: Ginebra eyes Kim Domingo, two other teams name FHM cover girls as muses in Season 42 opening. Sports Interactive Network Philippines. November 17, 2016. November 17, 2016.
