PBA Season 2019 Highlights: Top Games and Players to Remember

As I look back on the PBA's 2019 season, what strikes me most isn't just the championship outcomes or statistical milestones—it's how certain players and moments seemed to capture the very essence of Philippine basketball's evolving identity. Having followed the league for over a decade, I've developed a keen sense for those transitional periods when the PBA landscape begins to shift, and 2019 was undoubtedly one of those watershed years that will be discussed for generations.

The buzz started building well before the season opener, with the September 7 draft proceedings generating unprecedented excitement. What really caught my attention was the Gomez de Liaño situation—here was a player who had taken what I consider the road less traveled, building his resume through stints in Japan, Lithuania, and Korea before setting his sights on the PBA. In my view, this international experience gave him a distinct advantage over other prospects, and the speculation that he might become the No. 1 pick overall wasn't just media hype—it reflected a growing appreciation for globally seasoned talent in what had traditionally been a somewhat insular league. I remember thinking at the time that his draft position would signal whether the PBA was truly ready to embrace this new breed of internationally exposed players, and the fact that teams were seriously considering him for the top spot told me everything I needed to know about the league's direction.

When the season proper kicked off, the games that stood out to me weren't necessarily the highest-scoring affairs but those that showcased strategic evolution. The June 23 match between San Miguel and Ginebra was a masterclass in coaching adjustments—I recall watching in genuine awe as both teams traded significant runs, with the lead changing hands seventeen times before San Miguel secured their 98-95 victory in the final seconds. What made it special wasn't just the back-and-forth action but how it demonstrated the league's growing tactical sophistication, with coaches deploying situational substitutions and offensive sets I hadn't seen in previous PBA seasons.

The Commissioner's Cup finals between San Miguel and TNT provided another unforgettable highlight, particularly Game 4 where June Mar Fajardo put up what I consider one of the most dominant individual performances I've witnessed live—34 points, 18 rebounds, and 5 blocks despite playing through visible discomfort. Having watched Fajardo develop over the years, I can confidently say this was his true arrival as a complete two-way force rather than just a statistical marvel. The way he anchored both the offense and defense in that series convinced me we were watching a legend cement his status, and I've rarely seen a single player so thoroughly dictate a championship series.

What made the 2019 season particularly memorable for me was the emergence of unexpected contributors alongside the established stars. Players like CJ Perez and Robert Bolick didn't just put up good numbers for rookies—they changed their teams' identities. I distinctly remember Perez's 29-point outburst against Rain or Shine in November, where his relentless attacking style seemed to energize the entire Terrafirma squad that had struggled for relevance in previous seasons. His 18.4 points per game average doesn't fully capture how he transformed their offensive approach—they played with a pace and fearlessness I hadn't seen from them before.

The Governors' Cup provided the perfect climax to this remarkable season, with Ginebra's championship run featuring what I believe was the most dramatic single game of the year—their double-overtime victory over Meralco in Game 5 of the finals. Justin Brownlee's game-winning three-pointer as time expired wasn't just another clutch shot—it was the culmination of a 42-point, 14-rebound performance that showcased his incredible stamina and mental fortitude. Having attended that game, I can attest that the atmosphere was unlike anything I've experienced in Philippine basketball, with the crowd's energy building through each overtime period until that final shot created absolute pandemonium.

Reflecting on the season as a whole, what stands out isn't just these individual moments but how they connected to tell a larger story about the PBA's growth. The league saw a 14% increase in average attendance compared to 2018, and television ratings peaked during the Governors' Cup finals with an average of 2.4 million viewers per game—numbers that demonstrate the compelling product the PBA was putting forth. From my perspective, the 2019 season represented a perfect storm of established stars reaching new heights, emerging talents changing team dynamics, and internationally influenced players like Gomez de Liaño signaling a new pathway to the league. These elements combined to create what I consider one of the most memorable campaigns in recent PBA history—a season that balanced tradition with evolution in ways that will influence how teams approach player development and game strategy for years to come.