The 2014–15 PBA season was the 40th season of the Philippine Basketball Association (PBA). The season formally opened on October 19, 2014, and finished on July 17, 2015. 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 for this season, respectively.
This was also the first season that the league had 12 regular teams. The two new teams were Kia Sorento and Blackwater Elite. Although the NLEX Road Warriors had been approved as an expansion team, their owners instead opted to buy the Air21 Express franchise.NLEX opts to buy existing club instead of entering as expansion team, GMA News Online, June 16, 2014PBA approval of Air21's sale to NLEX clears way for Joseph Yeo trade to Ginebra for draft pick, Snow Badua, spin.ph, June 26, 2014
The first event of the season was the 2014 PBA Expansion Draft in July, for expansion teams Blackwater Elite and Kia Sorento, followed by the 2014 PBA draft, held on August 24, 2014.
This season previously held the record for most games played overall in a season, having 257 games played throughout the whole year. It surpassed the previous record of 249 games, previously set during the 2012–13 season. This record was later broken the following season.
Board of governors Executive committee Chito Salud (Commissioner) Patrick Gregorio (Chairman, representing Talk 'N Text Tropang Texters) Robert Non (Vice-Chairman, representing San Miguel Beermen) Eric Arejola (Treasurer, representing GlobalPort Batang Pier)
Teams Team Company Governor Alternate Governor Alaska Aces Alaska Milk Corporation Richard Bachmann Barako Bull Energy Energy Food and Drinks Inc. Manny Alvarez Barangay Ginebra San Miguel Ginebra San Miguel, Inc. Alfrancis Chua Blackwater Elite Ever Bilena Cosmetics, Inc. Silliman Sy Wilbert Loa GlobalPort Batang Pier Sultan 900 Capital, Inc. Michael Romero Nathaniel Romero / Erick Arejola Kia Carnival Columbian Autocar Corporation Jose Alvarez Ginia Domingo Meralco Bolts Manila Electric Company Al Panlilio Ryan Gregorio / Betty Siy-Yap NLEX Road Warriors Metro Pacific Investments Corporation Ramoncito Fernandez Rodrigo Franco / Christopher Lizo Rain or Shine Elasto Painters Asian Coatings Philippines, Inc. Mamerto Mondragon Edison Orbania San Miguel Beermen San Miguel Brewery, Inc. Robert Huang Robert Non Star Hotshots San Miguel Pure Foods Company, Inc. Rene Pardo Talk 'N Text Tropang Texters Smart Communications Manuel V. Pangilinan Victorico Vargas
Arenas
Like several Metro Manila-centric leagues, most games are held at arenas within Metro Manila, and sometimes, 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 could return occasionally.
Main arenas Arena CityCuneta Astrodome PasayFiloil Flying V Centre San JuanMall of Asia Arena PasayPhilSports Arena PasigSmart Araneta Coliseum Quezon CityYnares Center Antipolo
Out-of-town arenas Aside from games outside Metro Manila and Antipolo, the PBA played two games outside the Philippines, in Dubai. It was the second time the league held games in the United Arab Emirates. Arena City Date Match-upPhilippine Arena Bocaue, Bulacan October 19, 2014 Kia vs. BlackwaterTalk 'N Text vs. Barangay GinebraQuezon Convention Center Lucena October 25, 2014 Barangay Ginebra vs. KiaMindanao Civic Center Gymnasium Tubod, Lanao del Norte November 8, 2014 NLEX vs. San MiguelFebruary 28, 2015 Kia vs. BlackwaterUniversity of Southeastern Philippines Gym Davao City November 15, 2014 Barangay Ginebra vs. MeralcoMarch 14, 2015 Talk 'N Text vs. Purefoods StarXavier University – Ateneo de Cagayan Gym Cagayan de Oro November 22, 2014 Alaska vs. GlobalPortFebruary 21, 2015 San Miguel vs. MeralcoAlonte Sports Arena Biñan, Laguna November 23, 2014 Talk 'N Text vs. Barako BullMeralco vs. San MigNovember 29, 2014 Blackwater vs. Talk 'N TextFebruary 1, 2015 Blackwater vs. Talk 'N TextBarangay Ginebra vs. Barako BullDipolog Sports Center Dipolog, Zamboanga del Norte February 14, 2015 Purefoods Star vs. Rain or ShineMay 16, 2015 Ginebra vs. BlackwaterPanabo Multi-purpose Tourism, Sports and Cultural Center Panabo, Davao del Norte March 21, 2015 Barangay Ginebra vs. GlobalPortJune 20, 2015 Alaska vs. San MiguelAl Shabab Al Arabi Club Dubai Dubai May 21, 2015 GlobalPort vs. Rain or ShineMay 22, 2015 Barangay Ginebra vs. Rain or ShineAngeles University Foundation Gym Angeles City May 30, 2015 Kia vs. Purefoods StarLa Salle Coliseum Bacolod June 6, 2015 Rain or Shine vs. Talk 'N Text
Transactions
Player movement The expansion draft for incoming teams Blackwater Elite and Kia Sorento was held on July 18, 2014. Danny Ildefonso of the Meralco Bolts and Reil Cervantes of Barako Bull Energy were selected as the first picks of Blackwater and Kia respectively.FLASH: Blackwater makes Danny Ildefonso the first pick of PBA dispersal draft, Snow Badua, spin.ph, July 18, 2014
Retirement January 9, 2015: Jimmy Alapag formally announced his retirement during a press conference at the Smart Araneta Coliseum prior to the second game of the 2014–15 PBA Philippine Cup finals between the Alaska Aces and the San Miguel Beermen. However, he came out of retirement after nine months and played for two more seasons with the Meralco Bolts. He later retired for the second time during the end of the 2015–16 season. May 18, 2015: Kerby Raymundo officially announced his retirement.KERBY RETIRES: Raymundo given clean bill of health, but admits passion no longer there SPIN.ph, May 18, 2015
Coaching changes July 9, 2014: Talk 'N Text Tropang Texters head coach Norman Black was moved to the Meralco Bolts, replacing Ryan Gregorio as head coach. Replacing Black in Talk 'N Text is assistant coach Jong Uichico.Norman Black moves to Meralco, Jong Uichico to take over Talk ‘N Text as MVP group shuffles coaches , Interaksyon.com, July 9, 2014 August 2, 2014: Leo Austria was named as the head coach of the San Miguel Beermen. Coach Biboy Ravanes was demoted to assistant coach and active consultant Todd Purves will have a minimal role with the team.Leo Austria named new San Miguel Beermen head coach, Naveen Ganglani, Rappler, August 2, 2014 October 18, 2014: Barako Bull Energy fired head coach Siot Tanquingcen. He was replaced by assistant coach Koy BanalKoy Banal is new Barako Bull coach after PBA team parts ways with Siot Tanquingcen, Snow Badua, spin.ph, October 18, 2014 November 27, 2014: GlobalPort Batang Pier appointed assistant coach Eric Gonzales as the team's interim head coach, while former head coach Pido Jarencio was reassigned as the team's consultant.Eric Gonzales appointed interim coach of GlobalPort; Pido Jarencio remains as consultant , Rey Joble, InterAksyon.com, November 27, 2014 January 5, 2015: Team manager Alfrancis Chua announced the reappointment of Ato Agustin as Ginebra head coach "Agustin back as Ginebra coach", January 5, 2015, Inquirer after two conferences with Jeffrey Cariaso. Cariaso was then hired by Alaska as an assistant coach. March 30, 2015: Barangay Ginebra San Miguel fired head coach Ato Agustin. He was replaced by assistant coach Frankie Lim.SMC big boss Ramon Ang confirms Frankie Lim replacing Ato Agustin as Ginebra coach, Snow Badua, spin.ph, March 30, 2015 March 31, 2015: GlobalPort Batang Pier reinstated consultant Pido Jarencio as the team's head coach. Interim head coach Eric Gonzales was relegated as the assistant coach.Pido Jarencio reappointed as GlobalPort head coach; Eric Gonzales back as deputy , Rey Joble, InterAksyon.com, March 31, 2015
Notable events
Pre-season The PBA's developmental league held its annual draft at the PBA office in Libis, Quezon City on September 15. Moala Tautuaa was selected by the Cagayan Valley Rising Suns as the first pick of the draft.Fil-Tongan prospect Moala Tautuaa made No. 1 pick overall in PBA D-League draft, Reuben Terrado, spin.ph, September 15, 2014 Team officials of the San Mig Super Coffee Mixers announced that the team will be renamed as the Purefoods Star Hotshots starting this season's Philippine Cup.After winning Grand Slam, San Mig Coffee back to being Purefoods, Jessica Bartolome, GMA News Online, October 15, 2014
Philippine Cup The league's opening ceremonies and the first two games of the elimination round at the Philippine Arena set the all-time indoor Philippine sports attendance record of 52,612. The Grand Slam championship ring ceremony of the Purefoods Star Hotshots (formerly known as the San Mig Super Coffee Mixers) was held on October 22, before the start of their game against the Alaska Aces. Mixers to retire Codiñera jersey, Nelson Beltran, The Philippine Star, October 11, 2014 The Purefoods Star Hotshots retired the jersey numbers of Rey Evangelista (#7) and Jerry Codiñera (#44) on November 9, 2014, before their game against Barangay Ginebra San Miguel.Purefoods retires jerseys of Jerry Codiñera, Rey Evangelista , Rey Joble, InterAksyon.com, November 9, 2014 The team also wore retro style jerseys with similarities from their 1988 uniforms.
Commissioner's Cup The Talk 'N Text Tropang Texters retired the jersey number of Jimmy Alapag during the halftime of the All-Star Game in Puerto Princesa Coliseum, Palawan on March 5, 2015, where he was added as the 13th man of the South All-Stars.Fitting curtain call as Salud names Jimmy Alapag '13th man' of South team in PBA All-Stars, Snow Badua, spin.ph, January 30, 2015 Columbian Autocar Corporation (CAC) announced that they will change the moniker of their PBA team to Kia Carnival for the Commissioner's Cup.KIA changing moniker of PBA ballclub from Sorento to Carnival - seriously, by: Snow Badua, spin.ph, January 23, 2015 On February 15, 2015, Commissioner Chito Salud announced during a press conference at the Mall of Asia Arena that he will resign as the commissioner of the league at the end of the 2014-15 season for personal reasons. The board of governors, led by chairman Patrick Gregorio told the media that a replacement will be named before the end of the ongoing Commissioner's Cup. The replacement will be assigned as the deputy commissioner at the start of the Governors' Cup. During the board of governors meeting on March 7, 2015, they have decided to restructure the league and create the president/chief executive officer position to manage the league's marketing, expansion and business related matters. The commissioner position (which will also be the league's chief operating officer) will handle the game-related matters. Outgoing commissioner Chito Salud has been named as the league's first president/CEO.Outgoing commissioner Chito Salud named president and CEO in PBA reorganization, Richard Dy, spin.ph, March 7, 2015
Governors' Cup The Purefoods Star Hotshots silently dropped the "Purefoods" brand on their team name. The team will now be known as the "Star Hotshots". The team's new colors and uniforms debuted in their game against the NLEX Road Warriors last May 10. On May 14, Basketball Coaches Association of the Philippines (BCAP) president and former PBA coach Chito Narvasa was named as the 9th commissioner of the league, replacing Chito Salud at the end of the 2014-15 season.Former coach Chito Narvasa named new PBA commissioner via 12-0 vote by board , Richard Dy, spin.ph, May 14, 2015
Liga ng Bayan A set of preseason games named "Liga ng Bayan" was scheduled from September 12 to October 12 and were held on various cities around the country.'Liga ng Bayan' preseason games to give fans first glimpse of PBA newcomers Kia, Blackwater, Richard Dy, spin.ph, August 6, 2014 The results of the games are as follows:
Opening ceremonies