The 2010–11 PBA season was the 36th season of the Philippine Basketball Association. It started on October 3, 2010[1] and ended on August 21, 2011. The season marked the return of the original three-conference format, starting with the Philippine Cup, or the traditional All-Filipino Conference. The import-laden Commissioner's Cup returned as the second tournament, while the Governors' Cup also returned, serving as the third conference which also served as an import-laden tournament.[2][3]
The first activity of the season is the 2010 PBA Draft held on August 29 at the Market! Market! in Taguig.[4][5]
Later on a separate transaction, Talk 'N Text traded Mark Cardona to Air21 in exchange of their 2010 first round pick. Air21 later traded Cardona to Meralco in exchange of Joshua Urbiztondo and Meralco's 2010 1st round pick.[8]
The PBA board approved the rule changes for implementation starting this season:[15]
Rule changes (effective for the 2010–11 PBA season)
2-point or 3-point verification to be enforced for the entire game. During the last two minutes of the fourth quarter and overtime period(s), verification will be made during the next deadball situation.
During the last two minutes of the fourth quarter and overtime period(s), contested out of bounds calls will be subject to video review.
There will be no resetting of the shot clock after a jumpball if the tap goes to the offensive team.
A player who cannot shoot free throws awarded to him because of injury and is replaced can no longer return to the game. The substitute will shoot the free throws, regardless of the type of foul called (regular or flagrant). The same rule applies on jumper in jumpball situations.
No need to cross midcourt line for a player to call a 30-second timeout. During the last two minutes of the fourth quarter and overtime period(s), all timeouts will have the option to inbound from the free throw line extended.
In all overtime periods, a team enters penalty situation only after the second team foul. No more carryover of team fouls from the fourth quarter.
No more primary or secondary defender distinction. No more Lower Defensive Box (LDB).
No more flopping violation.
No more "leaving the playing court to gain advantage" violation.
A team shall be allowed to field in its 14-man line up during a game.
PBA Commissioner Chito Salud proposed a "Developmental League" patterned after the NBA D-League after the merger of Liga Pilipinas and the Philippine Basketball League (PBL) fell out.[22] The D-League proposal was eventually approved by the board of governors on January 25 and it is set to be launch on March.[23][24]
The board of governors approve the request of the Barako Bull Energy Boosters for a leave of absence for this season's Commissioner's Cup. The Smart Gilas Philippine basketball team will temporarily take over its place. All of the players of the Barako Bull will be put in a dispersal draft and will return to their mother team after the conference ends.[23][24]
The conditional dispersal draft of the Barako Bull players was held in the PBA office in Libis, Quezon City on February 7. Out of the 14 players, only Lordy Tugade and Escobal were drafted by San Miguel and B-Meg Derby Ace respectively.[25][26]
The Board of Governors approved Solar Entertainment's proposal to change its broadcast television partner from RPN to ABS-CBN's Studio 23 for the remainder of its contract with the league, beginning with the 2011 Commissioner's Cup.[27][28][29]
The PBA D-League will start on March 12 at the Filoil Flying V Arena in San Juan. The league will be composed of 14 teams, with three teams (Powerade-UP, Metro Pacific, Maynilad) having affiliation with existing PBA teams.[30] Four teams (Cobra Energy Drink, Agri-Nature Inc./FCA, Pharex, and Cafe France) that supposed to be part of the revival of the dormant Philippine Basketball League filed for application in the PBA D-League, hours after the PBL held its press conference regarding its revival.[31]
The sale of the Barako Bull Energy Boosters' franchise to Phoenix Petroleum did not push through after they failed to get the required number of votes (seven out of ten) from the PBA Board of Governors. Due to this development, Barako Bull's leave of absence was extended up to the end of the Governors' Cup.[32]
Player movement
Key transactions:
Trades:
On January 20, Rain or Shine, Meralco and Air21 were involved in a three-way trade. Rain or Shine was able to get Ronjay Buenafe, Ronnie Matias, the 2011 and 2013 1st round picks from Air21 and Beau Belga from Meralco. Meralco will now have Solomon Mercado and Paolo Bugia from Rain or Shine and Erick Rodriguez of Air21. Air21 will now have Jay-R Reyes from Rain or Shine, Reed Juntilla from Meralco and the 2011 and 2013 second round picks from Meralco.[33]
On January 28, Air21 traded J.R. Quiñahan to Powerade in exchange for the team's 2014 1st round pick.[34] The said trade was revised by Commissioner Chito Salud on January 31 and Air21 will instead get Powerade's 2012 second round and 2013 first round picks.[35]
Meralco signs Marlou Aquino and will assume his Barako Bull contract until the end of the Commissioner's Cup.[40]
Smart Gilas has listed Borgie Hermida in their line-up for the Commissioner's Cup and will return to Barako Bull after the tournament. However, Barako Bull announced that they will not play for the remainder of the season. Eventually, Hermida was released from Gilas.
San Miguel Beermen has added Paolo Hubalde to their roster for the Commissioner's Cup and will return to Barako Bull after the tournament. However, Barako Bull announced that they will not play for the remainder of the season.
Two elimination round games were held at the Al Shabab Al Arabi Sports Club in Dubai, United Arab Emirates from June 30 to July 1 featuring B-Meg, Talk 'N Text and Barangay Ginebra. B-Meg won against Talk 'N Text, 111-105,[49] then Talk 'N Text beat Barangay Ginebra the next day, 123-113.[50]
Players of the Talk 'N Text Tropang Texters got stranded in Dubai after their two-game stint. The travel agency in charge reportedly cancelled their plane tickets to Manila after the non-payment of the organizers.[51][52]
PBA announced that TV5 will become the provide their TV coverage for the next five years. This was made by Commissioner Chito Salud on July 8, 2011 during the PBA Board of Governors meeting. TV5 guaranteed the league P700 million in cash, P150 million for marketing and promotions, and P115 million worth of ad spots up to 2016. TV5 will also be handling the radio coverage of the PBA as well.[53]
Barako Bull has sold their franchise to Linaheim Corp. following approval of the sale by the PBA Board of Governors on July 8, 2011, thus making the PBA to have 10 teams next season.[53]
Note: Due to the ongoing NBA lockout, the Smart All-Stars cannot affiliate themselves with the NBA or their teams. The list below indicates the NBA teams where the player is associated before the lockout began.
