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.
The PBA competition committee approved the rule changes for implementation starting in the Commissioner's Cup games:[9]
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.[10][11] 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.[12] Narvasa later called a press conference at the PBA office in Libis and indicated that he will not resign as the commissioner.[13] 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.[14]
November 27, 2017: The Star Hotshots changed their name to Magnolia Hotshots. The team's new logo debuted during the team's press launching.[15]
December 11, 2017: The NLEX Road Warriors adopted a new logo. The new logo debuted during the team's press launching.[16]
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.[17]
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.[18]
January 25, 2018: The PBA Board of Governors official appointed officer-in-charge Willie Marcial as the tenth commissioner of the league.[19]
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.[20]
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.[21]
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.[22]
November 11, 2018: Former PBA commissioner and Board of Governors chairman Rey Marquez died.[24]
Major adjustments in the league calendar, particularly in the upcoming season were made during the league's annual board planning session in Las Vegas, Nevada, United States, primarily because of FIBA calendar changes. The start of the PBA's 44th season will be set on January 13. This will be the first time since 2002 that the league will open their season in January. The PBA Leo Awards will be held during the opening ceremonies of the 2019 season while the 2018 PBA draft is set on December 16.[25]
Starting the 2019 draft, trading the rights for the draft's number one pick will be banned.[26]
Source: PBA.ph Rules for classification: 1) winning percentage; 2) if two teams are tied, head to head record; if three or more teams are tied, head-to-head goal average (quotient), if tied for 8th, one-game playoff; 3) overall quotient 4) coin toss[29] Notes:
Source: PBA.ph Rules for classification: 1) winning percentage; 2) if two teams are tied, head to head record; if three or more teams are tied, head-to-head goal average (quotient); 3) overall quotient 4) coin toss[29] Notes:
Source: PBA.ph Rules for classification: 1) winning percentage; 2) if two teams are tied, head-to-head record; if three or more teams are tied, head-to-head goal average (quotient); 3) overall quotient 4) coin toss[29] Notes:
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