# 2009–10 PBA season

The 2009–10 PBA season was the 35th season of the Philippine Basketball Association (PBA). The season formally opened on October 11, 2009, and ended on August 18, 2010. The league started the season with the Philippine Cup, or the traditional All-Filipino Conference, while finishing the season with the import-laiden Fiesta Conference.
The 2009 PBA Draft was held on August 2, 2009, at the Market! Market!, and Japeth Aguilar was selected first overall by the Air21 Express. The Puerto Princesa City Government hosted the 2010 PBA All-Star Weekend at the Puerto Princesa Coliseum in Palawan on April 25, 2010.

## Pre-season events
### Player movement

Key transactions: Trades:
* Burger King traded Arwind Santos to San Miguel for Marc Pingris and Ken Bono. Both players were later traded to Purefoods in exchange for the team's 2010 1st and 2nd round picks.
* Barangay Ginebra traded Paul Artadi, Rafi Reavis, and the rights to 2009 draftee Chris Timberlake for Enrico Villanueva, Rich Alvarez, Celino Cruz, and Paolo Bugia of Purefoods.
* Burger King traded Pocholo Villanueva to Ginebra for rights to rookie Orlando Daroya and future picks.
* Sta. Lucia traded Dennis Miranda to San Miguel for future draft picks.
* Sta. Lucia traded Dennis Espino to Coca-Cola for two future draft picks and Jason Misolas.
Signing:
* Rain or Shine signed Mike Hrabak.
* Coca-Cola signed Norman Gonzales.
Resigning:
* Barangay Ginebra re-signed center Eric Menk.

### Rule changes

The PBA board approved the rule changes for implementation starting in the pre-season games:
* Rule changes (effective for the 2009–10 PBA season)
* # The three-point line's distance is set back to 22 feet. The line was previously 20.6 feet away from the basket.
* The "key" is now a rectangle. It was previously the FIBA standard trapezoid key.
* The 24-second violation will be ignored if the opposing team has clear possession of the basketball.
* All parts of the backboard are considered in play when struck by the ball except the back of the backboard, which is not in play.
* The ball is considered out of bounds if the ball hits the top of the board and passes directly behind the backboard from any point.
* The ball is considered out of bounds if the ball hits the top of the board and then hits the game clock, shot clock, support or any device above the backboard.
* It is considered a violation attempting a field goal directly behind the backboard.
* Any ball that rebounds and goes over the top and passes directly behind the backboard without hitting any part of the board is considered out-of-bounds.
* Hanging on the rim after a dunk is now allowed (monkey ride).
* Landing spot rule:
* If without contact, Flagrant Foul Penalty 1 is called - two free throws are awarded, ball possession is retained by team of offended player, guilty player sits for (3) three playing minutes.
* If with contact, Flagrant Foul Penalty 2 is called - two free throws are awarded, team of offended player retains ball possession, and guilty player is ejected from the game. Automatic Fine of minimum P10,000.00. Minimum of one day suspension if contact resulted in dire consequence (i.e. injury to player resulting in inability to play).
* A tip-in is considered act of shooting.
* A player screening an opponent must have both feet on the floor when contact occurs. A player setting a screen can move his body into a new but equal position sideways provided his shoulders are directly squared with his foot.
* The screener cannot lean forward towards the defender or extend any part of his body (i.e., extending an arm, leg or hips) in attempting to impede the basketball defender's movement in covering his man.
* Pushing or bumping is illegal personal contact of an opponent in which a defensive player forcibly moves or attempts to move a shooter, cutter or dribbler wherein the offensive player is placed at a disadvantage. A foul will be called if the defender bumps 1) a shooter, 2) a cutter, 3) a dribbler who loses the ball.
* Falling down to fake a foul (flopping) will not be tolerated. Referees will now give a warning on the first infraction. Subsequently, a technical foul will be given on the next violation.

### Notable occurrences

* The third set of inductees for the PBA Hall of Fame were awarded on October 9 at the Shangri-la Hotel in Makati.
* The pre-season was started on September 25 but was cut short due to the onslaught of Typhoon Ondoy in Metro Manila.

## Opening ceremonies

The season began on October 11 with the Purefoods Tender Juicy Giants defeating the Burger King Whoppers, 90–83.
The muses for the participating teams are as follows:
| Team | Muse |
| Smart Gilas | Jessica Mendoza |
| Alaska Aces | CJ Haravata |
| Barako Bull Energy Boosters | Nadine Wisher |
| Barangay Ginebra Kings | Anne Curtis |
| Burger King Whoppers | Karla Henry |
| Coca-Cola Tigers | Pokwang |
| Purefoods Tender Juicy Giants | Bianca Manalo |
| Rain or Shine Elasto Painters | Carla Abellana |
| San Miguel Beermen | SMB models |
| Sta. Lucia Realtors | Patricia Fernandez and Jennifer Barrientos |
| Talk 'N Text Tropang Texters | Rags to Riches mothers |

## 2009–10 Philippine Cup
### Notable events

* After playing with just one game with the Burger King Whoppers, top rookie pick Japeth Aguilar was traded to Talk 'N Text after a three-way trade involving Barako Bull. Burger Kings was able to get Barako Bull's 2010 (previously acquired by Talk ‘N Text) and 2012 first-round picks and will also take Talk ‘N Text’s 2013 and 2014 first-round picks. Barako Bull will now have the rights on Orlando Daroya while Talk ‘N Text will get Aguilar, who will be loaned to Smart Gilas.
* Wynne Arboleda of the Burger King Whoppers was suspended without pay for the rest of the season plus one game after a violent altercation with a fan during their game against Smart Gilas last October 16. He also drew a PhP20,000 fine. While serving his suspension, Arboleda cannot be present at the playing venues during Burger King’s games.
* On October 29, 2009. The PBA commissioner Sonny Barrios announced that the games played by the Smart Gilas National Team will have no effects on the standings of the other teams of the PBA. This decision was made by the commissioner because of the intensity of the games played against Smart Gilas that resulted in the suspension of and the possibility of criminal charges against Wynne Arboleda as a result of him attacking a fan at courtside in Araneta Coliseum when the Burger King Whoppers played the Smart Gilas National Team.
* Talk 'N Text walked out of the playing court during their quarterfinal game with Barangay Ginebra leading 27–20 with a minute left in the first quarter after Ranidel de Ocampo was called for a flagrant foul against Ronald Tubid. Besides forfeiting Game 4 to their opponent, Commissioner Sonny Barrios penalized the telecommunication franchise of fines ranging over P1 million. The P500,000 for the forfeiture (the said amount going to Barangay Ginebra as indicated to the league's by-laws), an additional P500,000 fine, which will go directly to the league's Players’ Educational Trust Fund, and the team's share in the gate receipts and TV revenues for that particular game, which ranges anywhere between P200,000 to P250,000.

### Elimination round

| Pos | Teamvte | W | L | PCT | GB | Qualification |
| 1 | Alaska Aces | 13 | 5 | .722 | — | Advance to semifinals |
| 2 | San Miguel Beermen | 13 | 5 | .722 | — | Advance to semifinals |
| 3 | Purefoods Tender Juicy Giants | 12 | 6 | .667 | 1 | Advance to quarterfinals |
| 4 | Barangay Ginebra Kings | 12 | 6 | .667 | 1 | Advance to quarterfinals |
| 5 | Talk 'N Text Tropang Texters | 11 | 7 | .611 | 2 | Advance to quarterfinals |
| 6 | Sta. Lucia Realtors | 10 | 8 | .556 | 3 | Advance to wildcard round |
| 7 | Coca-Cola Tigers | 6 | 12 | .333 | 7 | Advance to wildcard round |
| 8 | Burger King Whoppers | 6 | 12 | .333 | 7 | Advance to wildcard round |
| 9 | Rain or Shine Elasto Painters | 4 | 14 | .222 | 9 | Advance to wildcard round |
| 10 | Barako Bull Energy Boosters | 3 | 15 | .167 | 10 | |
| — | Smart Gilas (G) | 3 | 6 | .333 | 5.5 | Guest team |
* 1 2 Head-to-head record: Alaska 2–0 San Miguel
* 1 2 Head-to-head record: Purefoods 1–1 Barangay Ginebra; Purefoods 0, Barangay Ginebra 0; overall point differential: Purefoods +85, Barangay Ginebra +75
* 1 2 Head-to-head record: Burger King 1–1, Coca-Cola; Burger King +10, Coca-Cola −10
* ↑ Smart Gilas's results do not count in the standings.

### Playoffs

| Wildcard phase (single elimination) | Wildcard phase (single elimination) | Wildcard phase (single elimination) | Wildcard phase (single elimination) | Wildcard phase (single elimination) | Wildcard phase (single elimination) | Quarterfinals (best-of-5) | Quarterfinals (best-of-5) | Quarterfinals (best-of-5) | Semifinals (best-of-7) | Semifinals (best-of-7) | Semifinals (best-of-7) | Finals (best-of-7) | Finals (best-of-7) | Finals (best-of-7) |
| 6 | Sta. Lucia | 86 | | | | | | | 2 | San Miguel | 2 | |
| 9 | Rain or Shine | 90 | | | | 3 | Purefoods | 3 | 3 | Purefoods | 4 | |
| | | | 9 | Rain or Shine | 99 | 9 | Rain or Shine | 2 | | | | | | |
| | | | 7 | Coca-Cola | 84 | | | | | | | 3 | Purefoods | 4 |
| 7 | Coca-Cola | 118 | | | | | | | | | | 1 | Alaska | 0 |
| 8 | Burger King | 112 | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | 1 | Alaska | 4 | Third place | Third place | Third place |
| | | | | | | 4 | Brgy. Ginebra | 3 | 4 | Brgy. Ginebra | 0 | | | |
| | | | | | | 5 | Talk 'N Text | 2 | | 2 | San Miguel | 95 |
| | | | | | | | | | | 4 | Brgy. Ginebra | 88 |
* view
* talk

#### Wildcard phase
##### 1st round

| Team 1 | Score | Team 2 |
| (6) Sta. Lucia Realtors | 86–90 | (9) Rain or Shine Elasto Painters |
| (7) Coca-Cola Tigers | 118–112 | (8) Burger King Whoppers |

##### 2nd round

| Team 1 | Score | Team 2 |
| (7) Coca-Cola Tigers | 99–84 | (9) Rain or Shine Elasto Painters |

#### Quarterfinals

| Team 1 | Series | Team 2 | Game 1 | Game 2 | Game 3 | Game 4 | Game 5 |
| (3) Purefoods Tender Juicy Giants | 3–2 | (9) Rain or Shine Elasto Painters | 90–85 | 95–94 | 92–95 | 100–103 | 95–85 |
| (4) Barangay Ginebra Kings | 3–2 | (5) Talk 'N Text Tropang Texters | 92–107 | 105–106 | 102–97 | 27–20 (forfeit) | 113–110 |

#### Semifinals

| Team 1 | Series | Team 2 | Game 1 | Game 2 | Game 3 | Game 4 | Game 5 | Game 6 | Game 7 |
| (1) Alaska Aces | 4–0 | (4) Barangay Ginebra Kings | 104–79 | 90–82 | 91–88 | 102–95 | — | — | — |
| (2) San Miguel Beermen | 2–4 | (3) Purefoods Tender Juicy Giants | 99–83 | 84–103 | 88–74 | 84–97 | 82–94 | 78–87 | — |

#### Third place playoff

| Team 1 | Score | Team 2 |
| (2) San Miguel Beermen | 95–88 | (4) Barangay Ginebra Kings |

#### Finals

| Team 1 | Series | Team 2 | Game 1 | Game 2 | Game 3 | Game 4 | Game 5 | Game 6 | Game 7 |
| (1) Alaska Aces | 0–4 | (3) Purefoods Tender Juicy Giants | 81–77 | 86–85 | 79–78 | 86–76 | — | — | — |
* Finals MVP: James Yap (Purefoods)
* Best Player of the Conference: James Yap (Purefoods)

## Mid-season break events
### Player movement

Key transactions: Trades:
* Air21 traded JR Quiñahan, Mark Yee and Aaron Aban to Talk 'N Text for Yancy de Ocampo and Renren Ritualo.
* Air21 traded Yancy de Ocampo and their second round pick for the 2010 PBA Draft to Barangay Ginebra for Rich Alvarez and Doug Kramer.
* Air21 traded Alex Cabagnot to San Miguel for Mike Cortez.
* Sta. Lucia Realtors traded Joseph Yeo to San Miguel for Bonbon Custodio.

### Team re-brandings

* The Burger King Whoppers returned to their previous identity as the Air21 Express.
* San Miguel Corporation changed the name of the Purefoods Tender Juicy Giants to the Derby Ace Llamados.
* The Barako Bull Energy Boosters changed their moniker to the Barako Energy Coffee Masters.

### Notable occurrences

* The board of governors approved stiffer penalties for teams that would walk out of a game and rookie draftees who would turn their back on the league.

## 2010 Fiesta Conference
### Notable events

* Wynne Arboleda returned as an active player of the Air21 Express after he was reinstated by the Office of the Commissioner after serving eight months of suspension.

### Elimination round

| Pos | Teamvte | W | L | PCT | GB | Qualification |
| 1 | Talk 'N Text Tropang Texters | 15 | 3 | .833 | — | Advance to semifinals |
| 2 | San Miguel Beermen | 13 | 5 | .722 | 2 | Advance to semifinals |
| 3 | Derby Ace Llamados | 13 | 5 | .722 | 2 | Advance to quarterfinals |
| 4 | Alaska Aces | 11 | 7 | .611 | 4 | Advance to quarterfinals |
| 5 | Barangay Ginebra Kings | 9 | 9 | .500 | 6 | Advance to quarterfinals |
| 6 | Rain or Shine Elasto Painters | 9 | 9 | .500 | 6 | Advance to wildcard round |
| 7 | Coca-Cola Tigers | 8 | 10 | .444 | 7 | Advance to wildcard round |
| 8 | Sta. Lucia Realtors | 5 | 13 | .278 | 10 | Advance to wildcard round |
| 9 | Air21 Express | 4 | 14 | .222 | 11 | Advance to wildcard round |
| 10 | Barako Energy Coffee Masters | 3 | 15 | .167 | 12 | |
* 1 2 Second seed playoff: San Miguel 88, Derby Ace 83
* 1 2 Fifth seed playoff: Barangay Ginebra 115, Rain or Shine 88

### Playoffs

| Wildcard phase (Single elimination) | Wildcard phase (Single elimination) | Wildcard phase (Single elimination) | Wildcard phase (Single elimination) | Wildcard phase (Single elimination) | Wildcard phase (Single elimination) | Quarterfinals (Best-of-5) | Quarterfinals (Best-of-5) | Quarterfinals (Best-of-5) | Semifinals (Best-of-7) | Semifinals (Best-of-7) | Semifinals (Best-of-7) | Finals (Best-of-7) | Finals (Best-of-7) | Finals (Best-of-7) |
| 6 | Rain or Shine | 92 | | | | | | | 2 | San Miguel | 4 | |
| 9 | Air21 | 89 | | | | 3 | Derby Ace | 3 | 2 | Derby Ace | 3 | |
| | | | 6 | Rain or Shine | 98 | 6 | Rain or Shine | 2 | | | | | | |
| | | | 7 | Coca-Cola | 93 | | | | | | | 2 | San Miguel | 2 |
| 7 | Coca-Cola | 100 | | | | | | | | | | 4 | Alaska | 4 |
| 8 | Sta. Lucia | 84 | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | 1 | Talk 'N Text | 3 | Third place | Third place | Third place |
| | | | | | | 4 | Alaska | 3 | 4 | Alaska | 4 | | | |
| | | | | | | 5 | Brgy. Ginebra | 2 | | 3 | Derby Ace | 95 |
| | | | | | | | | | | 1 | Talk 'N Text | 113 |
* view
* talk

#### Wildcard phase
##### 1st round

| Team 1 | Score | Team 2 |
| (6) Rain or Shine Elasto Painters | 92–81 | (9) Air21 Express |
| (7) Coca Cola Tigers | 100–84 | (8) Sta. Lucia Realtors |

##### 2nd round

| Team 1 | Score | Team 2 |
| (6) Rain or Shine Elasto Painters | 98–93 | (7) Coca-Cola Tigers |

##### Quarterfinals

| Team 1 | Series | Team 2 | Game 1 | Game 2 | Game 3 | Game 4 | Game 5 |
| (3) Derby Ace Llamados | 3–2 | (6) Rain or Shine Elasto Painters | 108–102 | 69–79 | 111–117 (OT) | 92–78 | 105–100 (OT) |
| (4) Alaska Aces | 3–2 | (5) Barangay Ginebra Kings | 76–72 | 84–82 | 87–91 | 90–94 | 93–91 |

#### Semifinals

| Team 1 | Series | Team 2 | Game 1 | Game 2 | Game 3 | Game 4 | Game 5 | Game 6 | Game 7 |
| (1) Talk 'N Text Tropang Texters | 3–4 | (4) Alaska Aces | 88–104 | 100–94 | 86–90 | 83–62 | 82–81 | 83–94 | 81–90 |
| (2) San Miguel Beermen | 4–2 | (3) Derby Ace Llamados | 101–88 | 94–95 | 74–70 | 83–75 | 82–88 | 91–83 | — |

#### Third place playoff

| Team 1 | Score | Team 2 |
| (1) Talk 'N Text Tropang Texters | 113–95 | (3) Derby Ace Llamados |

#### Finals

| Team 1 | Series | Team 2 | Game 1 | Game 2 | Game 3 | Game 4 | Game 5 | Game 6 | Game 7 |
| (2) San Miguel Beermen | 2–4 | (4) Alaska Aces | 83–89 | 90–94 | 96–80 | 83–90 | 96–94 | 88–102 | — |
* Finals MVP: Cyrus Baguio and LA Tenorio (Alaska)
* Best Player of the Conference: Jay Washington (San Miguel)
* Best Import of the Conference: Gabe Freeman (San Miguel)

## 2010 PBA All-Star Weekend

The 2010 PBA All-Star Weekend was held from April 22 to 25 at the Puerto Princesa Coliseum, Puerto Princesa, Palawan. The winners were:
* Obstacle Challenge: Jonas Villanueva (San Miguel Beermen)
* Three-point Shootout: Mark Macapagal (Coca-Cola Tigers)
* Slam Dunk Competition: Niño Canaleta (Derby Ace Llamados)

### Rookie-Sophomore Blitz Game

* Solar TV / Basketball TV
* April 23
Rookies 86, Sophomores 106 :
| Scoring by quarter: 17–20, 31–20, 10–30, 29–36 |||
| Pts: Buenafe 25, Lanete 17, Cruz 14, Devance 14, Bono 10, Aljamal 8, Kramer 7, Eman 6. | Pts: Menor 19, Cruz 18, Urbiztondo 17, Ross 11, Marias 9, Timberlake 7, Arellano 6, Burtscher 0. |
* Puerto Princesa Coliseum, Puerto Princesa, Palawan
* Blitz Game MVP: Jared Dillinger (Sophomores)

### All-Star Game

* Solar TV / Basketball TV
* April 27 6:30 p.m.
North All-Stars 133, South All-Stars 130 :
| Scoring by quarter: 38–39, 38–30, 28–32, 29–29 |||
| Pts: Mark Cardona 20 | Pts: Kelly Williams 17 |
* Puerto Princesa Coliseum, Puerto Princesa, Palawan
* All-Star Game MVP: Gabe Norwood (North All-Stars)

## Awards
### PBA Annual Awards

* Most Valuable Player: James Yap (Derby Ace)
* Rookie of the Year: Rico Maierhofer (Derby Ace)
* First Mythical Team:
** LA Tenorio (Alaska)
** James Yap (Derby Ace)
** Jay Washington (San Miguel)
** Arwind Santos (San Miguel)
** Sonny Thoss (Alaska)
* Second Mythical Team:
** Roger Yap (Derby Ace)
** Mark Cardona (Talk 'N Text)
** Joe Devance (Alaska)
** Kelly Williams (Talk 'N Text)
** Asi Taulava (Coca-Cola)
* All-Defensive Team:
** Arwind Santos (San Miguel)
** Marc Pingris (Derby Ace)
** Gabe Norwood (Rain or Shine)
** Roger Yap (Derby Ace)
** Ryan Reyes (Talk 'N Text)
* Most Improved Player: LA Tenorio (Alaska)
* Sportsmanship Award: Cyrus Baguio (Alaska)

### Awards given by the PBA Press Corps

* Coach of the Year: Ryan Gregorio (B-Meg Derby Ace)
* Mr. Quality Minutes: KG Canaleta (B-Meg Derby Ace)
* Comeback Player of the Year: Kelly Williams (Talk 'N Text)
* Executive of the Year: Wilfred Uytengsu (Alaska)
* Referee of the Year: Manolito Quilingen
* All-Rookie Team
** Rico Maierhofer (B-Meg Derby Ace)
** Josh Urbiztondo (Sta. Lucia)
** Ronnie Matias (Air21)
** Ogie Menor (Barako Bull)
** Jervy Cruz (Rain or Shine)

## Cumulative standings

| Pos | Team | Pld | W | L | PCT | Qualification |
| 1 | Talk 'N Text Tropang Texters | 49 | 32 | 17 | .653 | Third place |
| 2 | San Miguel Beermen | 56 | 36 | 20 | .643 | Finalist |
| 3 | Purefoods Tender Juicy Giants/Derby Ace Llamados | 64 | 41 | 23 | .641 | Champions |
| 4 | Alaska Aces | 62 | 39 | 23 | .629 | Champions |
| 5 | Barangay Ginebra Kings | 52 | 27 | 25 | .519 | Fourth place |
| 6 | Rain or Shine Elasto Painters | 51 | 21 | 30 | .412 | Quarterfinalist |
| 7 | Coca-Cola Tigers | 40 | 16 | 24 | .400 | 2nd wildcard round |
| 8 | Sta. Lucia Realtors | 38 | 15 | 23 | .395 | 1st wildcard round |
| 9 | Air21 Express/Burger King Whoppers | 38 | 10 | 28 | .263 | 1st wildcard round |
| 10 | Barako Energy Coffee Masters/Barako Bull Energy Boosters | 36 | 6 | 30 | .167 | Elimination round |

### Elimination rounds

| Pos | Team | Pld | W | L | PCT |
| 1 | Talk 'N Text Tropang Texters | 36 | 26 | 10 | .722 |
| 2 | San Miguel Beermen | 36 | 26 | 10 | .722 |
| 3 | Purefoods Tender Juicy Giants/Derby Ace Llamados | 36 | 25 | 11 | .694 |
| 4 | Alaska Aces | 36 | 24 | 12 | .667 |
| 5 | Barangay Ginebra Kings | 36 | 21 | 15 | .583 |
| 6 | Sta. Lucia Realtors | 36 | 15 | 21 | .417 |
| 7 | Coca-Cola Tigers | 36 | 14 | 22 | .389 |
| 8 | Rain or Shine Elasto Painters | 36 | 13 | 23 | .361 |
| 9 | Air21 Express/Burger King Whoppers | 36 | 10 | 26 | .278 |
| 10 | Barako Energy Coffee Masters/Barako Bull Energy Boosters | 36 | 6 | 30 | .167 |

### Playoffs

| Pos | Team | Pld | W | L |
| 1 | Purefoods Tender Juicy Giants/Derby Ace Llamados | 28 | 16 | 12 |
| 2 | Alaska Aces | 26 | 15 | 11 |
| 3 | San Miguel Beermen | 20 | 10 | 10 |
| 4 | Rain or Shine Elasto Painters | 15 | 8 | 7 |
| 5 | Talk 'N Text Tropang Texters | 13 | 6 | 7 |
| 6 | Barangay Ginebra Kings | 16 | 6 | 10 |
| 7 | Coca-Cola Tigers | 4 | 2 | 2 |
| 8 | Air21 Express/Burger King Whoppers | 2 | 0 | 2 |
| 9 | Sta. Lucia Realtors | 2 | 0 | 2 |
| 10 | Barako Energy Coffee Masters/Barako Bull Energy Boosters | 0 | 0 | 0 |