2015–16 PBA season explained

2015–16 PBA season
Year:2015–16
Duration:October 21, 2015 – October 19, 2016
No Of Teams:12
Tv:Local:
Sports5
TV5
Fox Sports
Hyper (HD)
PBA Rush (HD)
International:
AksyonTV International
Draft:2015 PBA draft
Top Pick:Moala Tautuaa
Picked By:TNT Tropang Texters
Mvp:June Mar Fajardo
Top Scorer:Terrence Romeo
Conf1:Philippine Cup
Conf1 Link:2015–16 PBA Philippine Cup
Conf1 Champ:San Miguel Beermen
Conf1 Runner-Up:Alaska Aces
Conf2:Commissioner's Cup
Conf2 Link:2016 PBA Commissioner's Cup
Conf2 Champ:Rain or Shine Elasto Painters
Conf2 Runner-Up:Alaska Aces
Conf3:Governors' Cup
Conf3 Link:2016 PBA Governors' Cup
Conf3 Champ:Barangay Ginebra San Miguel
Conf3 Runner-Up:Meralco Bolts
Prevseason Link:2014–15 PBA season
Prevseason Year:2014–15
Nextseason Link:2016–17 PBA season
Nextseason Year:2016–17

The 2015–16 PBA season was the 41st 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 were the second and third conferences of the season.

This season was also the first season of Chito Narvasa as the PBA commissioner when Chito Salud announced his resignation at the end of the 2014–15 season. Salud remained with the PBA as he was the new president and CEO of the league.[1] However, on December 1, 2015, Salud announced his resignation as president and CEO of the PBA that took effect at the end of December 2015, passing both President and CEO positions to Narvasa.[2] [3]

The first event of the season was the 2015 PBA draft which was held on August 23.[4]

This season currently holds the record for most games played in a season, having 266 games played throughout the whole year. It surpassed the previous record of 257 games, previously set during the previous season.

Executive board

Teams

Team Company Governor Coach Captain
Tony dela Cruz
Barako Bull EnergyEnergy Food and Drinks Inc. Manny Alvarez JC Intal
Mark Caguioa
Ever Bilena Cosmetics, Inc. Silliman Sy Reil Cervantes
Sultan 900 Capital, Inc. Eric Arejola Johnedel Cardel Billy Mamaril
Columbian Autocar Corporation Tomas Alvarez Niño Canaleta
Jimmy Alapag
Ramoncito Fernandez Asi Taulava
Phoenix Fuel MastersDennis Uy Willy Wilson
Asian Coatings Philippines, Inc. Mamerto Mondragon Jireh Ibañes
Robert Non Arwind Santos
Rene Pardo Rafi Reavis
Ranidel de Ocampo

* - Participated for the 2015–16 PBA Philippine Cup
** - Barako Bull was sold to Phoenix Petroleum in January 2016. Participated beginning the 2016 PBA Commissioner's Cup.

Arenas

Like several Metro Manila-centric leagues, most games are held at arenas within Metro Manila, and sometimes, 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 could return occasionally.

Main arenas

Arena City
Pasay
San Juan
Pasay
Pasig
Quezon City
Antipolo

Out-of-town arenas

Aside from games outside Metro Manila and Antipolo, the PBA played two games outside the Philippines, in Dubai. It was the third time the league held games in the United Arab Emirates.

Arena City Date Match-up
University of Southeastern Philippines Gym October 24, 2015 San Miguel vs. GlobalPort
April 2, 2016 Star vs. Alaska
November 6, 2015 Mahindra vs. Alaska
November 7, 2015 Alaska vs. Barangay Ginebra
November 14, 2015 TNT vs. Star
January 22, 2016 San Miguel vs. Alaska
July 30, 2016 Barangay Ginebra vs. Meralco
Angeles University Foundation Gym December 5, 2015 Barangay Ginebra vs. Blackwater
February 20, 2016 Mahindra vs. San Miguel
NLEX vs. Star
September 18, 2016 Blackwater vs. San Miguel
TNT vs. Barangay Ginebra
March 5, 2016 San Miguel vs. Meralco
August 27, 2016 Rain or Shine vs. GlobalPort
March 19, 2016 Barangay Ginebra vs. Phoenix
August 20, 2016 Alaska vs. Star
April 9, 2016 TNT vs. Mahindra
September 3, 2016 TNT vs. San Miguel

Transactions

See main article: List of 2015–16 PBA season transactions.

Retirement

Coaching changes

Offseason

Commissioner's Cup

Notable events

Pre-season

Philippine Cup

Commissioner's Cup

Governors' Cup

Rule changes

The PBA board approved the rule changes for implementation starting this season:[62]

  1. Deliberate foul – Any player who commits a foul against an opponent by going after the man instead of the ball but without intent to hurt shall be assessed with a deliberate foul which shall result in awarding of two free throws to the offended player plus ball possession to the offended player's team. No 3-minute sit out for the player who committed the deliberate foul. A deliberate foul committed in the last two minutes of the fourth quarter and overtime period(s) shall be subject to automatic video review.
  2. Shot clock reset — The shot clock shall be reset to 14 seconds if the ball goes to the offensive team after a legal attempt.
  3. Free throw — During a free throw, a player can only enter the free-throw lane ("restricted area") after the ball has hit the rim.
  4. Landing spot rule
    1. Leaving a foot on the landing spot of a shooter – if without contact — Flagrant Foul Penalty 1 (FFP1) is called; two Free Throws are awarded; ball possession is retained by the team of offended player; and the offender is sent to the penalty box for three minutes for first offense. Second and subsequent offenses of players from the same team results in a five-minute penalty. A fine of at least Php 5,000.00 is assessed.
    2. Leaving a foot on the landing spot of a shooter – if with contact -Flagrant Foul Penalty 2 (FFP2) is called; two Free Throws are awarded; ball possession is retained by the team of offended player; and the offender is ejected from the game. A fine of at least Php 20,000.00 is assessed, whatever is the consequence of the contact and an automatic, minimum one-game suspension is imposed to the offender.
  5. Review of goal tending violation under the last two minutes — Any goal tending violation called in the last two minutes of the fourth quarter and overtime period(s) shall be subject to automatic video review. When a foul is called on a shot and a player touches the ball, basket or backboard and there is a chance to score, even if the referees do not call a goal tending violation, it shall likewise be subject to automatic review if it occurred in the last two minutes of the fourth quarter and overtime period(s).

In addition, the league modified its shot clock rules, adopting a procedure similar to the NBA and Euroleague, featuring tenths of a second. The shot clock should also display the time remaining in the game. A portable shot clock that is capable of displaying tenths of a second and the time remaining in the game is temporarily installed if the in-venue shot clock is not capable to adopt the new shot clock rule or if the shot clock does not also display the game clock. The time the shot clock changes to tenths is determined by the venue and the brand of clock used. The Mall of Asia Arena uses the NBA and Euroleague rule (final five seconds) since its opening, as its Daktronics unit is the same model used by NBA (most venues, 2011–16) and Euroleague venues (Gran Canaria Arena). The Smart Araneta Coliseum's clock registers tenths in the final ten seconds.

Opening ceremonies

The opening ceremonies for this season was held at the Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay on October 21, 2015. The first game of the Philippine Cup between the Star Hotshots and Rain or Shine Elasto Painters immediately followed.[63] [64] The opening was supposed to be held on October 18 at the Smart Araneta Coliseum in Quezon City[65] but was suspended due to the onslaught of Typhoon Lando (international name: Koppu). This was the first time that the league cancelled its opening ceremonies due to bad weather.[63]

The muses for the participating teams are as follows:

style= width="50%"Teamstyle= width="60%"Muse
Alaska AcesTara, Samantha, and Franchezka Borlain[66]
Barako Bull EnergyMika Reyes[67]
Barangay Ginebra San MiguelArci Muñoz[68]
Blackwater EliteMax Collins[69]
GlobalPort Batang PierKarylle
Jasmine Fitzgerald[70]
Meralco BoltsEula Caballero[71]
NLEX Road WarriorsAnn Lorraine Colis
Rain or Shine Elasto PaintersJulee Ann Bourgoin[72]
San Miguel BeermenAlexa Micek[73] and Rachel Anne Daquis
Star HotshotsMiss Global International 2015 candidates[74]
TNT Tropang TextersAlyssa Valdez

2015–16 PBA Philippine Cup

See main article: 2015–16 PBA Philippine Cup.

Playoffs

Quarterfinals

1st phase

|}*Team has twice-to-beat advantage. Team #1 only has to win once, while Team #2 has to win twice.

2nd phase

Semifinals

|}

Finals

See main article: 2015–16 PBA Philippine Cup Finals. |}

2016 PBA Commissioner's Cup

See main article: 2016 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: 2016 PBA Commissioner's Cup Finals. |}

2016 PBA Governors' Cup

See main article: 2016 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: 2016 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 25.4
Rebounds per game 12.2
Assists per game 6.0
Steals per game 1.9
Blocks per game 1.9
Turnovers per game 3.7
Fouls per game 4.3
Minutes per game 38.9
FG% 60.0%
FT% 97.1%
3FG% 47.5%
Double-doubles 37
Triple-doubles 1

Import players

Category Player Team Statistic Conference played
Points per game 36.6 Commissioner's
Rebounds per game 20.5 Commissioner's
Assists per game 5.0 Governors'
Steals per game 2.5 Governors'
GlobalPort Batang Pier
Blocks per game 2.7 Commissioner's
Turnovers per game 5.7 Governors'
Fouls per game 2.5 Governors'
Phoenix Fuel Masters
Minutes per game 43.0 Commissioner's
FG% 66.7% Commissioner's
FT% 88.9% Commissioner's and Governors'
3FG% 50.0% Commissioner's
Double-doubles 22 Governors'
Triple-doubles 1 Commissioner's
Governors'

Individual game highs

Local players

Category Player Team Statistic Conference
Points 43 Philippine
Rebounds 26 Philippine
Assists 13 Governors'
Steals 7 Philippine
Blocks 7 Philippine
Three point field goals 9 Governors'

Import players

Category Player Team Statistic Conference
Points 69 Commissioner's
Rebounds 30 Commissioner's
Assists 13 Governors'
Steals 6 Governors'
Blocks 5 Commissioner's
Meralco Bolts
Governors'
Three point field goals 8 Commissioner's
Governors'
NLEX Road Warriors

Team statistical leaders

Category Team Statistic
Points per game 102.9
Rebounds per game 49.8
Assists per game 22.3
Steals per game 7.3
Blocks per game 4.9
Turnovers per game 17.5
FG% 45.3%
FT% 74.8%
3FG% 35.2%

Cumulative standings

Playoffs

See also

External links

Notes and References

  1. News: Dy . Richard . Former coach Chito Narvasa named new PBA commissioner via 12-0 vote by board . Spin.ph . Spin.ph . May 14, 2015 . May 14, 2015 . https://web.archive.org/web/20150518085211/http://www.spin.ph/basketball/pba/news/chito-narvasa-pba-commissioner-chito-salud-replacement-basketball . May 18, 2015 . dead .
  2. Web site: Chito Salud resigns as PBA president and CEO. Mark. Giongco. inquirer.net. December 2015 .
  3. News: Salud resigns as PBA president; Board set to meet. Philippine Star. December 1, 2015.
  4. News: DEADLINES FOR 2015 PBA ROOKIE DRAFT APPLICANTS SET . PBA.ph . June 15, 2015 . July 11, 2015 .
  5. http://www.philstar.com/sports/2015/08/24/1491504/former-2-time-pba-mvp-danny-ildefonso-officially-retires Former 2-time PBA MVP Danny Ildefonso officially retires
  6. http://www.spin.ph/basketball/pba/news/ty-tang-announced-his-early-retirement-rain-or-shine TY Tang retires from PBA at age 30, citing need to focus on family business
  7. http://www.spin.ph/basketball/pba/news/former-pba-player-ue-red-warrior-paul-artadi-vies-for-council-seat-in-san-juan-in-career-sh 'Anak ng San Juan' Paul Artadi ends PBA career at 34, vies for city council seat
  8. http://pba.inquirer.net/63454/don-allado-retires-from-basketball-after-16-years Don Allado retires from basketball after 16 years
  9. News: IT'S DONE: SMC big boss Ramon Ang confirms Tim Cone move from Star to Ginebra . Snow Badua . Spin.ph . July 20, 2015 . July 20, 2015 .
  10. News: Tim Cone makes vow as he assumes Ginebra coaching job: 'We'll build a team the fans will be proud of' . Karlo Sacamos . Spin.ph . July 23, 2015 . July 24, 2015 .
  11. Web site: Mahindra interim coach Chito Victolero resigns amid internal strife, says source . SPIN.PH . April 28, 2016 . April 28, 2016 . Badua, Snow.
  12. Web site: Gavina takes over deputy post at Mahindra as Victolero resigns . pba.inquirer.net . April 29, 2016 . April 30, 2016 . Leongson, Randolph.
  13. Web site: Ariel Vanguardia replaces Koy Banal as Phoenix coach to kick off PBA team's facelift . spin.ph . May 31, 2016 . June 1, 2016 . Terrado, Reuben.
  14. News: PBA ballclub rolls out new name, switches from KIA Carnival to Mahindra Enforcers . Spin.ph . July 15, 2015 . July 17, 2015 .
  15. Web site: New commissioner Narvasa bans writer Snow Badua from PBA games, activities . spin.ph. September 19, 2015.
  16. News: PBA board okays 17-man Gilas pool for Olympic qualifiers . Philippine Star . August 15, 2015.
  17. http://www.spin.ph/basketball/pba/news/pba-41st-season-extends-to-a-full-year-as-league-adjsusts-schedule PBA facing year-long season after giving way to Gilas stint in Olympic wildcard qualifiers
  18. News: PBA launches Women's 3x3 Challenge. Rappler. October 21, 2015.
  19. News: Castillo. Musong R.. Narvasa: Pacquiao 'not a basketball player but a boxer' (November 8, 2015). Philippine Daily Inquirer.
  20. Web site: Staff. SPIN.ph. Joe Lipa suspended by PBA for ignoring Narvasa summon over coach's defense of Pacquiao. SPIN.ph. November 24, 2015.
  21. Web site: PBA chairman Robert Non takes over as president and CEO after league accepts Salud resignation. Spin.ph. December 3, 2015.
  22. http://hoops.ph/alfrancis-chua-and-the-use-of-e-cigarettes-while-on-the-court/ Alfrancis Chua and the use of e-cigarettes while on the court
  23. http://www.spin.ph/basketball/pba/news/auf-garcia-react-chua-smoking AUF officials, PSC chairman Garcia not happy with Alfrancis Chua e-cigarette incident
  24. http://pba.inquirer.net/64651/64651 Narvasa reprimands ‘apologetic’ Chua over vaping incident
  25. Web site: Ginebra-Globalport PBA quarterfinals game marred by controversial end . rappler.com . . December 27, 2015 . December 28, 2015 . Bracher, Jane.
  26. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hLOZYVJPuXE Chaos at the MOA Arena
  27. Web site: Official protest an option for Ginebra; PBA sets 12nn deadline . inquirer.net . Inquirer Sports . December 27, 2015 . December 28, 2015 . Leongson, Randolph.
  28. Web site: Globalport knocks out Ginebra in OT for first-ever semifinals seat . rappler.com . . December 27, 2015 . December 28, 2015 . Bracher, Jane.
  29. Web site: No protest filed by Ginebra; Commissioner sets hearing for referees . inquirer.net . Inquirer Sports . December 28, 2015 . December 28, 2015 . Leongson, Randolph.
  30. http://pba.inquirer.net/65355/pba-commissioner-suspends-2-referees 2 erring referees in GlobalPort-Ginebra game suspended for rest of PH Cup
  31. http://sports.inquirer.net/202864/pba-13-tech-fouls-called-as-batang-pier-aces-get-into-scuffle PBA: 13 tech fouls called as Batang Pier, Aces get into scuffle
  32. http://www.rappler.com/sports/by-sport/basketball/pba/118172-technical-fouls-alaska-globalport-ph-cup-semis-game-2 Technical fouls rain on Alaska vs Globalport PBA semis Game 2
  33. http://sports5.ph/sports/basketball/pba/read.php?ref=aces-level-series-in-technical-foul-filled-game-2 Aces level series, rout Batang Pier in technical foul-filled Game 2
  34. http://www.interaksyon.com/interaktv/pba-commissioner-chito-narvasa-surprised-as-alaska-globalport-game-ties-record-for-most-technical-fouls-in-a-game PBA commissioner Chito Narvasa surprised as Alaska-GlobalPort match ties record for most technical fouls in a game
  35. http://www.philstar.com/sports/2016/01/07/1540217/pba-slaps-p91200-total-fines-aces-batang-pier-game-2-brawl PBA slaps P91,200 total fines on Aces, Batang Pier for Game 2 brawl
  36. Web site: Blackwater snares PBA Women's 3-on-3 title. PBA. January 9, 2016. January 10, 2016.
  37. http://pba.inquirer.net/66305/pba-board-oks-sale-of-barako-bull PBA Board OKs sale of Barako Bull
  38. http://www.gmanetwork.com/news/story/553848/sports/basketball/tnt-import-ivan-johnson-suspended-1-game-fined-50k-for-tuneup-fight TNT import Ivan Johnson suspended 1 game, fined 50k for tuneup fight
  39. http://pba.inquirer.net/67139/tnt-import-ivan-johnson-fined-p250k-banned-from-pba TNT import Ivan Johnson fined P250k, banned from PBA
  40. http://www.gmanetwork.com/news/story/555159/sports/basketball/pba-bans-tnt-import-johnson-for-cursing-league-officials PBA bans TNT import Johnson for cursing league officials
  41. http://www.spin.ph/basketball/pba/news/ivan-johnson-lifetime-ban-reduced-season-long-suspension-talk-n-text PBA commissioner Narvasa reduces Ivan Johnson lifetime ban to season-long suspension
  42. http://sports.tempo.com.ph/2016/02/25/basketball-sports/pba-basketball-sports/pba-star-nails-1st-win-as-yap-starts/ PBA: Star nails 1st win as Yap starts
  43. News: PBA accepts marketing head's resignation, then rehires her for 'humanitarian reasons, exemplary performance'. Sports Interactive Network Philippines. March 7, 2016. March 9, 2016.
  44. http://www.spin.ph/basketball/pba/news/pba-board-owes-role-in-re-hiring-of-rhose-montreal-as-league-marketing-director- Robert Non insists PBA marketing head's controversial rehiring went through proper process
  45. Web site: PBA commissioner Narvasa also appointed CEO. Mark. Giongco. inquirer.net. March 9, 2016 .
  46. http://www.rappler.com/sports/by-sport/basketball/pba/126863-nbi-probes-pba-employees-officials-fake-document-leak NBI probes PBA employees, officials after fake document leak
  47. News: PBA under fire for 'discriminatory' rule banning boy-cut hairdos from women's league. Sports Interactive Network Philippines. Badua. Snow. June 10, 2016. June 14, 2016.
  48. News: PBA women's 3-on-3 players forced to comply with rules for sake of playing. Tiebreaker Times. Verora, Jr.. Levi. April 29, 2016. June 14, 2016.
  49. News: Gabriela offers support for women players against 'no boy-cut hairdo' policy in PBA. Sports Interactive Network Philippines. Badua. Snow. June 12, 2016. June 14, 2016.
  50. News: Narvasa explains 'boy-cut hairdos' memo for PBA women's 3x3. Rappler. June 11, 2016. June 14, 2016.
  51. http://www.foxsportsasia.com/news/blackwater-forward-gilbert-bulawan-dies-collapsing-practice/ Blackwater forward Gilbert Bulawan dies after collapsing during practice
  52. http://www.spin.ph/basketball/pba/news/team-officials-suspect-gilbert-bulawan-died-of-heart-attack-ahead-of-autopsy#GCrGUChsvymDrSB5.01 Autopsy performed on Bulawan as officials, fellow players come to grips with shock death
  53. Web site: Blackwater Elite's Power Forward Gilbert Bulawan Died During Team Practice. July 3, 2016. pinoyboxbreak.com.
  54. News: Women referees set to debut in PBA Governors' Cup. PBA.Inquirer.net. July 14, 2016. July 14, 2016.
  55. News: PBA has its first female referee in Janine Nicandro. ABS-CBN Sports. Lintag. Paul. July 15, 2016. July 15, 2016.
  56. News: An Abusive PBA Official?. July 14, 2016. July 14, 2016.
  57. http://www.spin.ph/basketball/pba/news/blackwater-gives-tribute-to-late-player-gilbert-bulawan-after-retiring-playing-jersey Blackwater gives tribute to late player Gilbert Bulawan after retiring jersey no. 11
  58. Web site: PBA player Mark Cardona rushed to hospital for overdose . news.abs-cbn.com . ABS-CBN News . August 21, 2016 . August 22, 2016.
  59. Web site: NLEX asks for privacy for Cardona after pill overdose . sports.inquirer.net . Inquirer Sports . August 21, 2016 . August 22, 2016 . Leongson, Randolph.
  60. Web site: PBA player Macmac Cardona now stable in hospital after overdosing on pills . SPIN.PH . August 21, 2016 . August 22, 2016 . Badua, Snow.
  61. http://www.spin.ph/basketball/pba/special-reports/wondering-why-referee-edward-aquino-is-not-officiating-in-pba-playoffs-heres-why-governors-cup Wondering why referee Edward Aquino isn't officiating in PBA playoffs? Here's why
  62. http://pba.inquirer.net/61017/pba-commissioners-office-releases-rule-changes-for-pba-season-41 PBA Commissioner's Office releases rule changes for PBA Season 41
  63. http://www.spin.ph/basketball/pba/news/pba-calls-off-41st-season-opening-as-typhoon-lando-batters-metropolis PBA makes historic first as league calls off 41st season opener due to Typhoon Lando
  64. http://pba.inquirer.net/61222/pba-moves-opening-ceremonies-ros-star-game-to-wednesday PBA moves opening ceremonies, RoS-Star game to Wednesday
  65. News: PBA opens 'Liga ng mga Bida' . Manila Standard Today. October 18, 2015. October 19, 2015.
  66. http://pba.inquirer.net/60997/meet-alaska-acess-muses-for-pba-season-41 Meet Alaska Aces's muses for PBA Season 41
  67. http://pba.inquirer.net/61191/meet-barako-bull-energys-muse-for-pba-season-41 Meet Barako Bull Energy's muse for PBA Season 41
  68. http://pba.inquirer.net/61077/meet-barangay-ginebra-kings-muse-for-pba-season-41 Meet Barangay Ginebra Kings’ muse for PBA Season 41
  69. http://www.spin.ph/basketball/pba/news/fhm-cover-girl-max-collins-leads FHM cover girl Max Collins, Alexa Micek leads list of PBA muses; Alyssa Valdez, Mika Reyes eyed
  70. http://www.gmanetwork.com/news/story/541496/sports/basketball/after-lando-delay-pba-opens-41st-season After Lando delay, PBA opens 41st season
  71. http://www.rappler.com/sports/by-sport/basketball/pba/109118-alyssa-valdez-talk-n-text-muse Alyssa Valdez to be Talk ’N Text muse in PBA opening
  72. http://pba.inquirer.net/61064/meet-rain-or-shine-elastopainters-muse-for-pba-season-41 Meet Rain or Shine Elastopainters’ muse for PBA season 41
  73. http://pba.inquirer.net/61166/meet-san-miguel-beermens-muses-for-pba-season-41 Meet San Miguel Beermen's muses for PBA Season 41
  74. http://pba.inquirer.net/61205/meet-star-hotshots-muses-for-pba-season-41 Meet Star Hotshots’ muses for PBA Season 41