The 1996 Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) Commissioner's Cup was the second conference of the 1996 PBA season. It started on June 14 and ended on September 10, 1996. The tournament is an import-laden format, which requires an import or a pure-foreign player for each team with a 6'7" height limit.
| 1996 PBA Commissioner's Cup | |
|---|---|
| Duration | June 14 – September 10, 1996 |
| TV partner(s) | Vintage Sports (IBC) |
| Finals | |
| Champions | Alaska Milkmen |
| Runners-up | Formula Shell Zoom Masters |
| Awards | |
| Best Player | Johnny Abarrientos (Alaska Milkmen) |
| Best Import | Kenny Redfield (Formula Shell Zoom Masters) |
| Finals MVP | Bong Hawkins (Alaska Milkmen) |
| PBA Commissioner's Cup chronology | |
| PBA conference chronology | |
Format
editThe following format will be observed for the duration of the conference:
- The teams were divided into 2 groups.
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Group A: |
Group B:
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- Teams in a group will play against each other once and against teams in the other group twice; 10 games per team; Teams are then seeded by basis on win–loss records. Ties are broken among point differentials of the tied teams. Standings will be determined in one league table; teams do not qualify by basis of groupings.[1]
- The top five teams after the eliminations will advance to the semifinals.
- Semifinals will be two round robin affairs with the remaining five teams. Results from the eliminations will be carried over. A playoff incentive for a finals berth will be given to the team that will win at least five of their eight semifinal games.
- The top two teams (or the top team and the winner of the playoff incentive) will face each other in a best-of-seven championship series. The next two teams (or the loser of the playoff incentive and the fourth seeded team) dispute the third-place trophy in a one-game playoff.
Elimination round
editTeam standings
edit| Pos | Team | W | L | PCT | GB | Qualification |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Alaska Milkmen | 8 | 2 | .800 | — | Semifinal round |
| 2 | Ginebra San Miguel | 6 | 4 | .600[a] | 2 | |
| 3 | Sta. Lucia Realtors | 6 | 4 | .600[a] | 2 | |
| 4 | Formula Shell Zoom Masters | 5 | 5 | .500[b] | 3 | |
| 5 | Purefoods Tender Juicy Hotdogs | 5 | 5 | .500[b] | 3 | |
| 6 | Sunkist Orange Juicers | 5 | 5 | .500[b] | 3 | |
| 7 | San Miguel Beermen | 4 | 6 | .400 | 4 | |
| 8 | Mobiline Cellulars | 1 | 9 | .100 | 7 |
Notes:
Semifinal round berth playoff
editSemifinal round
editTeam standings
edit
Source: [citation needed] Notes:
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Source: [citation needed] Notes:
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Finals-berth playoff
editBal David sank a three-point shot, putting the Gins on with the lead, 86–83 with 17 seconds left in the game. Richie Ticson however also made a three pointer tying the game again, 86-all with 10.5 seconds left.
After calling a timeout to design the last play, Henry James opted to try a three pointer after an inbound pass from Vince Hizon. James' shot was blocked by Benjie Paras and picked up by Kenny Redfield, making a buzzer beating three point shot, thus winning the game for them, 89–86.[2]
Third-place playoff
editFinals
editReferences
edit- ^ "Purefoods still alive, ousts SMB". Ismael Amigo, Manila Standard, July 22, 1996.
- ^ "Shell knocks out Ginebra". Ismael Amigo, Manila Standard, August 26, 1996.