Philippine Basketball Association

==Philippine Basketball Association ==

The Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) is a professional basketball league in the Philippines. Founded in 1975, it is the first professional basketball league in Asia and the second oldest continuously existing in the world after the NBA.

History

The PBA was established on April 9, 1975, with the merger of the Manila Industrial and Commercial Athletic Association (MICAA) and the Basketball Association of the Philippines (BAP). The league's inaugural game was held at the Araneta Coliseum in Quezon City.

Teams

The PBA is composed of 12 teams, each owned by a corporation. The teams are divided into two conferences: the Philippine Cup and the Commissioner's Cup. Some of the notable teams include:

• Barangay Ginebra San Miguel
• San Miguel Beermen
• TNT Tropang Giga
• Magnolia Hotshots

Format

The PBA season is divided into three conferences:

• The Philippine Cup, which is an all-Filipino tournament.
• The Commissioner's Cup, which allows teams to hire foreign players or "imports" with a height limit of 6'10".
• The Governors' Cup, which also allows imports but with a height limit of 6'6".

Each conference has its own playoffs and championship, culminating in the awarding of the PBA Finals trophy.

Notable Players

The PBA has been home to many legendary Filipino basketball players, including:

• Robert Jaworski
• Ramon Fernandez
• Alvin Patrimonio
• June Mar Fajardo

Venues

The PBA games are held in various venues across the Philippines, including:

• Smart Araneta Coliseum
• Mall of Asia Arena
• PhilSports Arena
• Ynares Center

Governance

The PBA is governed by a Board of Governors, which includes representatives from each of the member teams. The league's operations are overseen by a Commissioner, who is responsible for enforcing the rules and regulations.

Cultural Impact

The PBA has had a significant impact on Filipino culture, with basketball being one of the most popular sports in the country. The league has also contributed to the development of basketball in the Philippines, providing a platform for local talent to showcase their skills.

See Also

• Basketball in the Philippines
• List of Philippine Basketball Association champions
• Philippine Basketball Association records
• Philippine Basketball Association Hall of Fame