PBA Resumes and the Finals

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November 16, 2020

by Arbe Jay Polancos

Just like the National Basketball Association (NBA), the Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) has set to resume the games in their version of the “Bubble”  due to the COVID-19 pandemic in Clark Freeport Zone in Pampanga where the Angeles University Foundation stands as the hosts of the games. It is an isolation zone for players, coaches, staff, and management. This was made possible when the games were suspended last March 11, 2020, and the association pleaded to the IATF to allow them to resume the games. This was sanctioned last September 24, 2020, and then they decided to resume on October 11, 2020.

There were changes in the ball games set this year. Instead of playing the usual three-conference format with the Philippine Cup, Commissioner’s Cup, and the Governor’s Cup, they opted to just have the Philippine Cup. This is the first time in the league that only one conference cup will be played in one season. Aside from that, there were a number of key players who retired from the PBA this season. The De Ocampo brothers and one player from Davao Region, PJ Simon also retired.  Here are the teams that will participate in the PBA resumption in the Bubble:

Team Company Governor Coach Captain
Alaska Aces Alaska Milk Corporation Richard Bachmann Jeffrey Cariaso JVee Casio
Barangay Ginebra San Miguel Ginebra San Miguel, Inc. Alfrancis Chua Tim Cone LA Tenorio
Blackwater Elite Ever Bilena Cosmetics, Inc. Silliman Sy Nash Racela Mike Cortez
Magnolia Hotshots 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 Super LPG Fuel Masters Phoenix Petroleum Philippines, Inc. Raymond Zorrilla Topex Robinson Matthew Wright
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
Terrafirma Dyip Terrafirma Realty Development Corporation Demosthenes Rosales Johnedel Cardel Glenn Khobuntin
TNT Tropang Giga Smart Communications Ricky Vargas Bong Ravena Jayson Castro

Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2020_PBA_season

One notable event is the lifting of the indefinite suspension of the Phoenix Super LPG Fuel Masters Forward, Calvin Abueva from his 16- month long ban from the PBA. He was initially suspended for knocking down Terrence Jones, a TNT import, by clotheslining him. He was also involved in the altercation between Maika Rivera, the girlfriend of Bobby Ray Parks. This paved the way to his untimely and unprecedented suspension in the PBA even if his team paid 20,000 pesos as a fine. Even if his return to the PBA was highly anticipated, they failed to contend for the finals.

Currently, the game is now is in its final stages. The Philippine Cup Finals started last November 29, 2020, as the Barangay Ginebra and TNT battled in Game 1. Here’s the schedule for the upcoming finals games:

GAME 1 NOVEMBER 29,2020
GAME 2 DECEMBER 02,2020
GAME 3 DECEMBER 04, 2020
GAME 4 DECEMBER 06, 2020
GAME 5 DECEMBER 09, 020
GAME 6 DECEMBER 11, 2020
GAME 7 DECEMBER 13, 2020