A Complete Guide to PBA Teams 2019 Season Roster and Schedule
As I sit down to analyze the 2019 PBA season rosters and schedules, I can't help but recall that memorable quote from one of the coaches that perfectly captures the league's philosophy that year: "My thing dito sa team is for us to have that baby steps. Baby steps lang kami. We are not going to sprint right away. Unti-until lang. We get better, we improve, that's how it is. Tignan natin kung saan kami makakarating." This approach resonated deeply with me because it reflected exactly how most teams were approaching what turned out to be one of the most transitional seasons in recent PBA history. The 2019 season represented a fascinating crossroads where established veterans were gradually passing the torch to a new generation of talent, and you could feel this gradual evolution in every team's strategy and roster construction.
Looking back at the team rosters, what struck me most was how each franchise approached this "baby steps" philosophy differently. Take the San Miguel Beermen for instance - they maintained their core of June Mar Fajardo, Arwind Santos, and Alex Cabagnot, but what impressed me was how they strategically integrated new pieces like Terrence Romeo. They didn't overhaul their system overnight but rather brought him in gradually, allowing him to find his rhythm within their established framework. On the other hand, teams like Columbian Dyip fully embraced rebuilding, giving significant minutes to CJ Perez who ended up playing about 38 minutes per game - a massive workload for a rookie but absolutely necessary for his development. I've always believed that this kind of calculated risk-taking separates successful rebuilding teams from those that remain stagnant.
The scheduling aspect of the 2019 season was particularly brilliant in my opinion, with the league office designing a calendar that allowed teams to properly implement their gradual improvement plans. The season was structured into three conferences - Philippine Cup, Commissioner's Cup, and Governors' Cup - each lasting approximately three months with carefully spaced games. What made this effective was how it created natural checkpoints for teams to assess their progress. Teams typically played around 11 games per conference in the elimination round, which provided enough runway for adjustments without overwhelming squads that were still finding their identity. I remember discussing this with fellow analysts at the time, and we all agreed that the spacing between games - usually 2-4 days - gave coaches adequate time to make tactical adjustments while maintaining competitive rhythm.
From my perspective as someone who's followed the PBA for over a decade, the import selections for the Commissioner's Cup and Governors' Cup revealed fascinating team priorities. The height restrictions for imports created intriguing strategic decisions - teams had to choose between going with traditional big men or more versatile players who could impact multiple facets of the game. I particularly admired how Barangay Ginebra handled their import situation, bringing back Justin Brownlee who already had established chemistry with the local core. This consistency paid dividends as they captured the Commissioner's Cup title. Meanwhile, teams like Meralco took more experimental approaches, cycling through different imports to find the right fit - a process that sometimes cost them early games but ultimately helped them build towards future success.
The practice of teams gradually developing their young players while maintaining veteran leadership was something I found particularly compelling that season. Teams like Rain or Shine implemented what I'd call a "mentorship model" where established players like James Yap and Gabe Norwood provided stability while younger talents like Rey Nambatac and Javee Mocon received increasing responsibilities as the season progressed. This balanced approach prevented the kind of dramatic roster overhauls that often derail team chemistry. Having witnessed numerous teams struggle with abrupt transitions in previous seasons, I firmly believe this measured approach contributed significantly to the overall competitiveness of the league that year.
What many casual observers might have missed was how the schedule's structure created natural progression points. The All-Star break in mid-April provided a perfect mid-season assessment opportunity, while the playoff format - with its best-of-three quarterfinals and best-of-seven semifinals and finals - ensured that the best-prepared teams advanced. I've always preferred this format over single-elimination tournaments because it rewards teams that have genuinely improved throughout the season rather than those that simply get hot at the right moment. The 2019 season demonstrated this beautifully, with teams like San Miguel and Barangay Ginebra - organizations known for their methodical approach - ultimately achieving the most success.
Reflecting on the complete picture of rosters and schedules, what stands out in my memory is how the league achieved this beautiful balance between maintaining its traditional strengths while gradually evolving. The 12 teams employed roughly 180 players throughout the season, with about 40% being relatively new faces in the league - a statistic that highlights both the turnover and the opportunities created. The schedule's 198 total games across all conferences provided sufficient platform for development while maintaining fan engagement. As someone who's analyzed basketball leagues across Asia, I can confidently say that the PBA's approach to the 2019 season created an environment where organic growth could flourish. The "baby steps" philosophy wasn't just coachspeak - it was embedded in the very structure of the season, from roster decisions to scheduling nuances, and it produced one of the most compelling and competitive seasons in recent memory.