The 2017–18 PBA season was the 43rd 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 in the upcoming season.
The first event of the season was the 2017 PBA draft, held on October 29.Standhardinger, Kiefer, Jeron headline 2017 PBA draft prospects, ABS-CBN Sports, October 12, 2017
Executive board Andres Y. Narvasa Jr. (Commissioner until December 31, 2017) Willie Marcial (officer-in-charge starting January 1, 2018, appointed commissioner on January 25, 2018) Victorico P. Vargas (Chairman, representing TNT KaTropa) Richard Bachmann (Vice-Chairman, representing Alaska Aces) Raymond Zorilla (Treasurer, representing Phoenix Fuel Masters)
Teams Team Company Governor Coach Captain Alaska Aces Alaska Milk Corporation Richard Bachmann Alex Compton Jvee Casio Barangay Ginebra San Miguel Ginebra San Miguel, Inc. Alfrancis Chua Tim Cone Sol Mercado Blackwater Elite Ever Bilena Cosmetics, Inc. Silliman Sy Bong Ramos Allein Maliksi GlobalPort Batang Pier / NorthPort Batang Pier Sultan 900 Capital, Inc. Eric Arejola Pido Jarencio Stanley Pringle Kia Picanto / Columbian Dyip Columbian Autocar Corporation Bobby Rosales Johnedel Cardel Glenn Khobuntin Magnolia Hotshots Pambansang Manok San Miguel Pure Foods Company, Inc. Rene Pardo Chito Victolero Mark Barroca Meralco Bolts Manila Electric Company Al Panlilio Norman Black Chris Newsome NLEX Road Warriors Metro Pacific Investments Corporation Ramoncito Fernandez Yeng Guiao Larry Fonacier Phoenix Fuel Masters Phoenix Petroleum Philippines, Inc. Dennis Uy Louie Alas RJ Jazul 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 TNT KaTropa Smart Communications Victorico Vargas Bong Ravena Jayson Castro
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
Arena CityCuneta Astrodome PasayFiloil Flying V Centre San JuanMall of Asia Arena PasaySmart Araneta Coliseum Quezon CityYnares Center Antipolo
Out-of-town arenas
Highlighted are playoff games. Arena City Date Match-upPhilippine Arena Bocaue, Bulacan December 25, 2017 NLEX vs. GlobalPortBarangay Ginebra vs. MagnoliaFebruary 18, 2018 NLEX vs. BlackwaterMeralco vs. Barangay GinebraUniversity of San Agustin Gym Iloilo City January 13, 2018 San Miguel vs. TNTCalasiao Sports Complex Calasiao, Pangasinan February 10, 2018 Rain or Shine vs. MagnoliaJune 23, 2018 NLEX vs. San MiguelOctober 20, 2018 TNT vs. San MiguelBatangas City Sports Coliseum Batangas City February 17, 2018 Alaska vs. San MiguelXavier University Gym Cagayan de Oro February 24, 2018 Magnolia vs. MeralcoSeptember 29, 2018 Phoenix vs. Barangay GinebraAlonte Sports Arena Biñan, Laguna May 11, 2018 NLEX vs. PhoenixBarangay Ginebra vs. BlackwaterOctober 27, 2018 Blackwater vs. ColumbianRain or Shine vs. San MiguelAngeles University Foundation Sports Arena & Cultural Center Angeles May 12, 2018 GlobalPort vs. MagnoliaLambero Macias Sports Complex Dumaguete, Negros Oriental May 19, 2018 Alaska vs. San MiguelIbalong Centrum for Recreation Legazpi, Albay June 9, 2018 Barangay Ginebra vs. NLEXCity of Passi Arena Passi, Iloilo September 22, 2018 TNT vs. Rain or ShineSanta Rosa Sports Complex Santa Rosa, Laguna October 7, 2018 Rain or Shine vs. BlackwaterMeralco vs. Barangay GinebraQuezon Convention Center Lucena October 13, 2018 Barangay Ginebra vs. Rain or Shine
Transactions
Retirement October 30, 2017: Jayjay Helterbrand officially announced his retirement after playing 17 seasons in the PBA, all of them with the Barangay Ginebra San Miguel franchise.EXCLUSIVE: Former MVP Helterbrand retires after 17-year PBA career , Paolo del Rosario, CNN Philippines, October 30, 2017
Coaching changes Team Outgoing coach Manner of departure Date of vacancy Replaced with Date of appointment Ref.Phoenix Fuel Masters Ariel Vanguardia Resigned Preseason Louie Alas October 26, 2017 PBA: Louie Alas named Phoenix head coach, ABS-CBN Sports, October 26, 2017GlobalPort Batang Pier Franz Pumaren On leave Preseason Pido Jarencio October 29, 2017 Pido Jarencio back as GlobalPort coach for a third time as Pumaren takes leave, Gerry Ramos, spin.ph, October 29, 2017Kia Picanto Manny Pacquiao End of contract Preseason Chris Gavina November 4, 2017 Kia signs up little known but ‘hungry’ players as part of ‘unconventional mentality’, Randolph Leongson, Philippine Daily Inquirer, November 4, 2017Kia Picanto Chris Gavina Resigned Philippine Cup Ricky Dandan December 30, 2017 Chris Gavina steps down as Ricky Dandan set to take over as new coach of KIA, Gerry Ramos, spin.ph, December 30, 2017Blackwater Elite Leo Isaac Fired Commissioner's Cup Bong Ramos April 30, 2018 Bong Ramos gives up Indonesia job to take over from Isaac as Blackwater coach, Gerry Ramos, spin.ph April 30, 2018Columbian Dyip Ricky Dandan Resigned Commissioner's Cup Johnedel Cardel June 28, 2018
Rule changes The PBA competition committee approved the rule changes for implementation starting in the Commissioner's Cup games: Rule changes (effective for the 2018 PBA Commissioner's Cup) The number of 30-second timeouts were reduced from three (1 for 1st half, 2 for 2nd half) to two (1 for 1st half, 1 for second half) Tapping the backboard in an attempt to block a shot from an offensive player will not be considered as a goal-tending violation. Pulling of jerseys to impede the movement of an opponent will only be called as an ordinary foul unless there is a clear path to the basket for the offensive player
Notable events
Pre-season November 2, 2017: The majority of the PBA Board of Governors passed a resolution stating that they will no longer support or endorse the renewal of Commissioner Chito Narvasa's tenure due to "loss of confidence". Representatives from Alaska, Blackwater, Meralco, NLEX, Rain or Shine, Phoenix and TNT attended a special board meeting on November 2 that passed this resolution. Deputy Commissioner and Technical Head Rickie Santos will be the league's officer-in-charge while the board will still tackle who will replace Narvasa as commissioner.PBA board declines to extend Chito Narvasa term as commissioner, appoints Rickie Santos as OIC, Karlo Sacamos, spin.ph, November 2, 2017Majority of PBA board vote against extending Narvasa’s term as commissioner, JC Ansis, Sports5.ph, November 2, 2017 Later in the afternoon, the bloc that composes the three San Miguel Corporation (SMC) teams (San Miguel, Barangay Ginebra and Star) as well as independent teams GlobalPort and Kia stated their continued support with Narvasa. Former PBA chairman Robert Non criticized the move done by the seven board members for making a "whimsical" decision in ousting Narvasa and mentioned that the move was unauthorized and non binding as per the league's by-laws. According to the PBA by-laws, a two-thirds vote of its current membership is necessary to remove or appoint a commissioner. Non also criticized the timing of the meeting when the meeting notice was only sent to all board representatives on Monday, October 30. According to the rules, the board representatives should have been notified seven days before the date set for the meeting.SMC bloc, allies stand behind Narvasa, contest 'whimsical' ouster of commissioner, Gerry Ramos, spin.ph, November 2, 2017 Narvasa later called a press conference at the PBA office in Libis and indicated that he will not resign as the commissioner.Narvasa: 'I have always ensured parity in all decisions I made as commissioner', Karlo Sacamos, spin.ph, November 2, 2017 He is also requesting the seven teams that will not endorse his term renewal to explain the grounds of their "loss of confidence" to the current commissioner. He also stated that he is willing to resign the commissioner post, but after consultation with his family and lawyers, he will hold on as commissioner, given that any move to oust him should follow the rules stated in the league's by-laws.Under-fire Narvasa explains why he's hanging on to post amid PBA board power play, Karlo Sacamos, spin.ph, November 2, 2017 November 27, 2017: The Star Hotshots changed their name to Magnolia Hotshots. The team's new logo debuted during the team's press launching.Hotshots open new chapter under Magnolia banner, Camille B. Naredo, ABS-CBN News, November 27, 2017 December 11, 2017: The NLEX Road Warriors adopted a new logo. The new logo debuted during the team's press launching.NLEX unveils new logo ahead of 2018 PBA Season, Randolph Leongson, Philippine Daily Inquirer, December 11, 2017 December 17, 2017: PBA Commissioner Chito Narvasa officially tendered his resignation. The board of governors have advised Narvasa to stay as commissioner until December 31, 2017, to have a smooth transition to his eventual successor. The board also named Media Bureau chief Willie Marcial as the league's officer-in-charge.PBA confirms Chito Narvasa has resigned as commissioner; Willie Marcial is OIC, Gerry Ramos, spin.ph, December 17, 2017
Philippine Cup Mark Caguioa changed his jersey number from #47 to #13 to honor his recently retired teammate Jayjay Helterbrand. He will use the #13 jersey for the duration of the Philippine Cup.LOOK: Mark Caguioa honors pal Helterbrand by wearing Ginebra jersey No. 13, Gerry Ramos, spin.ph, December 25, 2017 January 25, 2018: The PBA Board of Governors official appointed officer-in-charge Willie Marcial as the tenth commissioner of the league. March 27, 2018: The lifetime ban on Renaldo Balkman was lifted. The lifetime ban was imposed by former commissioner Chito Salud on March 13, 2013, due to an incident involving his former teammate Arwind Santos when Balkman grabbed Santos by the neck in the final minutes of their game against Alaska on March 8, 2013. Before lifting the ban, Commissioner Willie Marcial consulted Santos and former commissioner Salud and gave their approval.
Commissioner's Cup April 3, 2018: The Kia Picanto changed their name to Columbian Dyip. The team's new logo and uniforms will debut at the opening day of the Commissioner's Cup on April 22.
Governors' Cup August 10, 2018: The GlobalPort Batang Pier changed their name to NorthPort Batang Pier. The team's new logo debuted through their social media accounts.GlobalPort hits reboot button by changing name to NorthPort, Randolph Leongson, spin.ph, August 10, 2018 September 9, 2018: The Meralco Bolts will represent the Philippines in the 2018 FIBA Asia Champions Cup. This development came after FIBA Secretary-General Patrick Baumann requested the Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas to have a PBA team participate in the club championship.PBA goes all out in support of SBP, PBA.ph, September 9, 2018 November 11, 2018: Former PBA commissioner and Board of Governors chairman Rey Marquez died.PBA to sound 'Final Buzzer' for Rey Marquez, the league's first chairman and former commissioner, PBA.ph, November 15, 2018