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A Look Back at the Most Exciting Moments from PBA Season 2019
I still get chills thinking about that electric atmosphere during the 2019 PBA season—what an incredible ride it was for basketball fans across the Philippines. Having followed Philippine basketball for over a decade, I can confidently say this particular season delivered some of the most unforgettable moments in recent memory. The energy was different from the very beginning, with anticipation building around new talents and veteran teams clashing in ways we hadn't seen before. What made 2019 special wasn't just the high-level basketball—it was the stories, the underdogs, the last-second shots, and the emergence of players who would redefine the league's future.
One storyline that had everyone talking was the arrival of Javi Gomez de Liaño, who brought an international flair to the local scene. After his stints in Japan, Lithuania, and Korea, Gomez de Liaño set his sights on the PBA by applying for the draft where he was expected to be a candidate to become the No. 1 pick overall in the September 7 proceedings. I remember watching the draft day coverage, feeling that mix of excitement and curiosity about how his global experience would translate to the Philippine playing style. His journey through different basketball cultures—from the disciplined systems in Lithuania to the fast-paced Korean league—gave him a unique edge that had coaches and analysts buzzing. Honestly, I thought his adaptability would make him an instant impact player, and seeing him adjust to the physicality of the PBA was one of my personal highlights.
The season opener itself set the tone—a nail-biting clash between Barangay Ginebra and San Miguel that went into double overtime, ending with a stunning three-pointer at the buzzer. I was in the arena that night, and the roar of the crowd when that shot went in was absolutely deafening. Statistics from that game still stand out in my mind: June Mar Fajardo recording 28 points and 15 rebounds, while Scottie Thompson dished out what felt like endless assists—14 to be exact. What made it memorable wasn't just the numbers though—it was the sheer will to win both teams displayed, the kind of gritty basketball that makes you forget to breathe during the final possessions.
Mid-season brought us the unexpected rise of the Columbian Dyip, a team that many had written off before the conference began. They strung together an impressive 7-game winning streak—something nobody saw coming—and their games became must-watch television. I found myself rearranging my schedule just to catch their matches, drawn to their underdog energy and cohesive team play. Their victory against the heavily favored Rain or Shine in July was particularly satisfying to watch; the final score of 98-95 doesn't fully capture how tightly contested every possession was. As someone who always roots for the teams that defy expectations, their performance gave me some of the most enjoyable basketball moments of the year.
The Governor's Cup finals between Magnolia and TNT provided yet another layer of drama to an already stacked season. That series had everything—technical fouls, controversial calls, heroic performances from both imports and locals, and a Game 7 that went down to the wire. I'll admit I was slightly biased toward Magnolia—there's something about their defensive identity that I've always appreciated—but even neutral fans had to acknowledge the quality of basketball on display. The numbers from that final game still impress me: Paul Lee dropping 27 points, Roger Pogoy answering with 25 of his own, and the teams combining for 18 lead changes throughout the night. When that final buzzer sounded, I remember feeling both exhausted and exhilarated—the perfect ending to a hard-fought series.
What made the 2019 season particularly fascinating from my perspective was how it balanced established superstars with emerging talents. While veterans like Fajardo and Castro continued to dominate, we saw younger players like CJ Perez and Robert Bolick take significant leaps in their development. The league felt like it was at a turning point—honoring its legacy while clearly building toward something new. I've always believed that the best sports seasons are those that make you feel connected to the narrative beyond the games themselves, and 2019 delivered exactly that. The conversations among fans, the debates about which team had the best chance, the surprise performances that made us reconsider everything we thought we knew—it all came together to create a truly special chapter in PBA history.
Looking back, the 2019 season represented everything I love about Philippine basketball—the passion, the unpredictability, and the way the sport brings people together. The emergence of internationally seasoned players like Gomez de Liaño added an exciting new dimension to the league, while the classic rivalries and unexpected storylines kept us all invested from opening tip to final buzzer. Though I've watched many PBA seasons come and go, there's something about 2019 that still stands out in my memory—the perfect blend of individual brilliance and team chemistry that created moments we'll be talking about for years to come.
