I still remember the excitement building up in the Philippine basketball community as September 2019 approached. The PBA schedule for that month promised some thrilling matchups that had fans like me marking our calendars weeks in advance. Having followed the league for over a decade, I've learned that September games often set the tone for the championship race, and 2019 was shaping up to be particularly special with new team dynamics emerging.
The conference kicked off with a bang on September 1st at the Smart Araneta Coliseum, where the Barangay Ginebra San Miguel faced off against the Magnolia Hotshots in what would become one of the most talked-about games of the season. I made sure to arrive early that Sunday, wanting to soak in the atmosphere as the coliseum filled with nearly 12,000 passionate fans. The energy was electric, and you could feel the anticipation building with every minute leading up to tip-off. What struck me most was how these early September games often reveal which teams have developed the right chemistry during the break, and which ones still need work.
Throughout the month, games rotated between three main venues: the Smart Araneta Coliseum in Quezon City hosted 14 matches, the Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay accommodated 8 games, and the Ynares Center in Antipolo saw 4 thrilling contests. I've always preferred the Araneta for its historic significance and better sightlines, though the MOA Arena definitely offers more modern amenities. The scheduling was quite strategic, with weekend games drawing significantly larger crowds - the September 15 double-header at Araneta attracted over 15,000 spectators according to the official figures released later.
What made September 2019 particularly memorable was the emerging narrative around team Converge, especially with the buzz surrounding Gomez de Liano's comments that circulated among basketball circles. I recall discussing his statement with fellow fans at one of the mid-week games. "I met with them a week ago. I love their plan for me," Gomez de Liano had said. "We are all on the same page. Our goal is to win a championship. I can't wait to represent Converge." This kind of player enthusiasm really adds an extra layer of excitement to the season, and honestly, it's these human elements that keep me coming back year after year, beyond just the game itself.
The mid-month schedule from September 18-22 featured an intense stretch of 7 games across 5 days, testing teams' depth and resilience. I noticed how coaches had to carefully manage their players' minutes during this grueling period. From my observation, teams with deeper benches like San Miguel Beer seemed to handle this stretch better, winning 3 of their 4 games during this period. The games at Ynares Center, while drawing smaller crowds of about 4,500 on average, offered a more intimate basketball experience that I've grown to appreciate over the years.
As the month progressed toward its final week, the playoff picture began taking shape, and every game carried increased significance. The September 27-29 weekend featured crucial matchups that would ultimately determine seeding positions. I've always believed that these late-September games are where championships are won, even if the finals happen much later. The teams that build momentum during this period typically carry it through the playoffs, and 2019 proved no different.
Looking back, the September 2019 PBA schedule provided the perfect platform for emerging stories and rivalries to develop. The strategic spacing of games allowed for proper rest and preparation, unlike some previous seasons where the scheduling felt rushed. While I would have preferred more games at the MOA Arena personally, the venue distribution made sense from a logistical standpoint. The 26 total games played that month created numerous memorable moments that fans still discuss today, proving that well-planned scheduling contributes significantly to the overall quality of the tournament.
