2007-08 PBA season

Infobox sports season
title =2007-08 PBA season
logo =Pba2007-08.png league =Philippine Basketball Association
sport =Basketball
duration =October 14, 2007 - August 20, 2008
TV =ABC, TV5
season =Season
MVP =Kelly Williams
MVP_link =Philippine Basketball Association Most Valuable Player award
season2 =Philippine Cup
season_champs2 =Sta. Lucia Realtors
second_place2 =Purefoods Tender Juicy Giants
season_champ2_name=Champions
season3 =Fiesta Conference
season_champs3 =Barangay Ginebra Kings
second_place3 =Air21 Express
season_champ3_name=Champions
seasonslist = List of PBA seasons
seasonslistnames = PBA
prevseason_link =2006-07 PBA season
prevseason_year =2006-07
nextseason_link =2008-09 PBA season
nextseason_year =2008-09The 2007-08 PBA Season is the 33rd season of the Philippine Basketball Association. The season was formally opened on October 14, 2007 at the Araneta Coliseum. The league started the season with the Philippine Cup, or the traditional All-Filipino Conference, while capping off the season with the import-laiden Fiesta Conference.

Renauld "Sonny" Barrios was appointed as commissioner while serving as an officer in charge of the league until a replacement for former commissioner Noli Eala will be found. [ [http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/breakingnews/sports/view_article.php?article_id=82297 'Sonny' Barrios picked PBA OIC] , Philippine Daily Inquirer. Accessed August 13, 2007.]

The first activity of the season was the 2007 PBA Draft last August 19 at the Market Market in Taguig City.

Pre-season events

:"For trades done on draft day, see 2007 PBA Draft."
*San Miguel Corporation changed the name of the San Miguel Beermen to the Magnolia Beverage Masters; "Magnolia" was their product name from 1985-87.
*Gec Chia and Paolo Hubalde of the Barangay Ginebra Kings traded to the Air21 Express for Paul Artadi who was traded by the Purefoods Tender Juicy Giants. [ [http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/breakingnews/sports/view_article.php?article_id=89200 "Artadi now a Gin King after feud with Purefoods coaches"] , Philippine Daily Inquirer. Accessed September 23, 2007.]
*Joseph Yeo of the Coca Cola Tigers and the team's 2009 second round draft pick rights were traded to the Sta. Lucia Realtors for Mark Isip and Cesar Catli. [ [http://www.pba.ph/content/view/1775/82/ "Yeo now a Realtor"] , PBA.ph. Accessed September 23, 2007.]
*On October 3, Magnolia Beverage Masters' Danny Seigle and Brgy. Ginebra's Billy Mamaril had an altercation during a pre-season tune-up game at the Greenmeadows Gym. OIC Commissioner Sonny Barrios fined Seigle P10,000. [ [http://www.pba.ph/content/view/1806/59/ "SEIGLE FINED P10,000 FOR TUNEUP GAME SCUFFLE"] , PBA.ph. Accessed October 15, 2007.]
*New rules were approved in order to make the league rules more consistent to FIBA's rules rather than the National Basketball Association (NBA):
**The controlled handcheck foul will be implemented.
**The three-point arc would now be reset to 20 feet and 6 inches (FIBA standard) from 22 feet.
**The key would now be trapezoidal (FIBA) instead of rectangular (NBA). [ [http://www.pba.ph/content/view/1795/59/ NEW RULES TO INJECT MORE EXCITEMENT TO 33RD PBA SEASON] ]
*With a change in their team name, Magnolia unveiled their new logo and uniforms, using the blue and white motif. Alaska replaced their red uniforms with their black alternates first used in the 2007 Fiesta Conference Finals, while Purefoods replaced their navy blue dark uniforms with their red alternates from the 2007 Fiesta Conference. Red Bull introduced a new slightly-modified logo and uniforms, and Sta. Lucia slightly modified their old uniforms, adding a diagonal stripe on the shoulders.

2007-08 Philippine Cup

The season began on October 14 with the Magnolia Beverage Masters defeating the Air21 Express, 121-112.

Notable events

*Red Bull Barako head coach Yeng Guiao was suspended for one game after verbally confronting league technical group chief Perry Martinez after their game against the Barangay Ginebra Kings. [ [http://www.pba.ph/content/view/1824/59/GUIAO SLAPPED ONE-GAME SUSPENSION, ESCAPES FINE] , PBA.ph] Serving the suspension against the Welcoat Dragons, assistant Gee Abanilla became the head coach for the game, in which Red Bull won. [ [http://www.pba.ph/content/view/1828/59/ CAREER GAME FOR JUNTHY AS RED BULL OUTPLAYS WELCOAT] , PBA.ph]
*Purefoods Tender Juicy Giants point guard Roger Yap was suspended for one game after hitting L.A. Tenorio of the Magnolia Beverage Masters; he served the suspension against the Welcoat Dragons in which Purefoods won. [ [http://www.pba.ph/content/view/1841/82/ PUREFOODS CONTINUES MASTERY OF WELCOAT] , PBA.ph]
*In Welcoat Dragons' 126-125 overtime win against the Talk 'N Text Phone Pals, both teams converted 29 three-point field goals, a new PBA record. [ [http://www.pba.ph/content/view/1857/59/ BELASCO TRIPLE LIFTS WELCOAT PAST TNT IN EXTRA TIME] ]
*On November 26, the Talk 'N Text Phone Pals traded Asi Taulava to the Coca-Cola Tigers in exchange for Ali Peek and a first-round pick. [ [http://www.abs-cbnnews.com/storypage.aspx?StoryId=100625 Asi shipped to Tigers for Peek, top pick] Philippine Star via ABS-CBNNews.com]
*Talk 'N Text Phone Pals players Mark Cardona and Harvey Carey were suspended after their altercation against Welcoat Dragon Jojo Tangkay. The two Phone Pals will be suspended on their game against the Air21 Express, while Carey would also be suspended on Talk 'N Text's game against the Sta. Lucia Realtors. Both Carey and Cardona were fined 20,000 pesos each. The case of Welcoat's Ryan Araña's flagrant foul on Asi Taulava on their loss against the Coca-Cola Tigers was deferred. [http://sports.inquirer.net/breakingnews/breakingnews/view_article.php?article_id=107702 Air21 acquires Espinas; Carey Cardona fined, suspended] Philippine Daily Inquirer] Araña was later suspended on Welcoat's defeat against Red Bull Barako. [ [http://sports.inquirer.net/breakingnews/breakingnews/view_article.php?article_id=108345 Red Bull whips Welcoat, keeps grip on No. 2 ] ]
*The Air21 Express acquired Gabby Espinas from the Magnolia Beverage Masters in exchange for one of Air21's first round picks in the 2008 Draft.
*On January 17, 2008, the PBA Board of Governors named officer-in-charge Sonny Barrios as the new commissioner up to the end of the season after a deadlock ensued between governors that supported Atty. Chito Salud and Lambert Ramos. Barrios has yet to accept his appointment. [ [http://www.pba.ph/content/view/1953/59/ BARRIOS NAMED PERMANENT COMMISSIONER] PBA.ph]
*Red Bull Barako's Carlo Sharma and Jondan Salvador of the Purefoods Tender Juicy Giants were suspended for one game after figuring in a fistfight which led to their ejection from the game. Aside from the suspension, Sharma was fined P25,000 while Salvador was fined P20,000. Sharma served his suspension on game 1 of their quarterfinals series against the Magnolia Beverage Masters, in which Red Bull won; Salvador will serve his suspension in game 1 of their semifinals series against Red Bull, in which Purefoods won.
*On January 24, Barrios accepted his appointment as commissioner. [ [http://sports.inquirer.net/inquirersports/inquirersports/view/20080124-114403/Barrios-accepts-key-PBA-position Barrios accepts key PBA position by Musong R. Castillo, Philippine Daily Inquirer] .]

Out-of-town games

These are the games held outside Metro Manila and Rizalbasketballbox | date = October 20 | bg=#eee
team1 = Purefoods Tender Juicy Giants |score1 = 112
team2 = Talk 'N Text Phone Pals |score2= 97
place = Lamberto Macias Sports Center, Dumaguete |TV=ABC basketballbox | date = October 27 |
team1 = Barangay Ginebra Kings |score1 = 64
team2 = Welcoat Dragons |score2 = 82
place = Capiz Gymnasium, Roxas City |TV=ABC ----basketballbox | date = November 10 | bg=#eee
team1 = Barangay Ginebra Kings |score1 = 103
team2 = Sta. Lucia Realtors |score2 = 90
place = General Santos City Gym, Gen. Santos City |TV=ABC basketballbox | date = November 17 |
team1 = Red Bull Barako |score1 = 87
team2 = Purefoods Tender Juicy Giants |score2 = 74
place = Tacloban Convention Center, Tacloban |TV=ABC ----basketballbox | date = December 1| bg=#eee
team1 = Coca-Cola Tigers |score1 = 94
team2 = Sta. Lucia Realtors |score2 = 79
place = Quezon Convention Center, Lucena |TV=ABC basketballbox | date = December 1 |
team1 = Barangay Ginebra Kings |score1 = 82
team2 = Alaska Aces |score2 = 87
place = Quezon Convention Center, Lucena |TV=ABC basketballbox | date = December 8 | bg=#eee
team1 = Red Bull Barako |score1 = 94
team2 = Magnolia Beverage Masters |score2 = 88
place = SSC-R de Cavite Gym, Cavite City |TV=ABC basketballbox | date = December 15|
team1 = Purefoods Tender Juicy Giants |score1 = 114
team2 = Air21 Express |score2 = 92
place = West Negros College Gym, Bacolod |TV=ABC basketballbox | date = December 22| bg=#eee
team1 = Alaska Aces |score1 = 92
team2 = Magnolia Beverage Masters |score2 = 104
place = Xavier University Gym, Cagayan de Oro |TV=ABC

Final results

PBA bracket wildcard knockout|rd1=Wildcard phase
Knockout games
rd2=Quarterfinals
Best of 3 series
rd3=Semifinals
Best of 7 series
rd4=Philippine Cup Finals
Best of 7 series
rd1-seed1=6
rd1-team1=Talk 'N Text
rd1-score1=73
rd1-seed2=9
rd1-team2=Coca-Cola
rd1-score2=81
rd1-seed3=7
rd1-team3=Brgy. Ginebra
rd1-score3=110
rd1-seed4=8
rd1-team4=Air21
rd1-score4=119
rd1b-seed1=9
rd1b-team1=Coca-Cola
rd1b-score1=109
rd1b-seed2=8
rd1b-team2=Air21
rd1b-score2=102
rd2-seed1=9
rd2-team1=Coca-Cola
rd2-score1=0
rd2-seed2=3
rd2-team2=Alaska
rd2-score2=2
rd2-seed3=4
rd2-team3=Red Bull
rd2-score3=2
rd2-seed4=5
rd2-team4=Magnolia
rd2-score4=0
rd3-seed1=3
rd3-team1=Alaska
rd3-score1=3
rd3-seed2=2
rd3-team2=Sta. Lucia
rd3-score2=4
rd3-seed3=1
rd3-team3=Purefoods
rd3-score3=4
rd3-seed4=4
rd3-team4=Red Bull
rd3-score4=3
rd4-seed1=2
rd4-team1=Sta. Lucia
rd4-score1=4
rd4-seed2=1
rd4-team2=Purefoods
rd4-score2=3
rd4-seed3=3
rd4-team3=Alaska
rd4-score3=104
rd4-seed4=4
rd4-team4=Red Bull
rd4-score4=125

*Philippine Cup Finals: (2) Sta. Lucia (12-6) def. (1) Purefoods (12-6), 4 games to 3.
**Finals MVP: Dennis Espino (Sta. Lucia)
*Third place: Red Bull (def. Alaska 125-104 in a one-game playoff)
*Best Player of the Conference: Kelly Williams (Sta. Lucia)

Mid-season break

*The Coca Cola Tigers acquired Nic Belasco from the Welcoat Dragons in exchange for Mark Isip and Coke's 2010 and 2011 second round draft picks. [ [http://www.pba.ph/content/view/2015/2/ BELASCO MOVES TO COCA-COLA FOR ISIP, DRAFT PICKS] PBA.ph]
*Caloy Garcia was named as the new head coach of the Welcoat Dragons on March 18 after Leo Austria resigned from his post. [ [http://www.ngetstudio.com/news/?id=4000 Garcia named Welcoat coach] Inquirer.net]
*On March 19, Mike Cortez and Ken Bono of the Alaska Aces were traded to the Magnolia Beverage Masters for LA Tenorio and Larry Fonacier. [ [http://www.ngetstudio.com/news/?id=4008 Magnolia acquires 'Cool Cat' Cortez] Inquirer.net]
*Purefoods TJ Giants' center Romel Adducul took a leave of absence after being diagnosed to be afflicted with nasopharyngeal cancer. This event triggered a four team trade between Purefoods, Magnolia, Coca-Cola and Barangay Ginebra. Magnolia dealt Enrico Villanueva and Willie Wilson to Coca-Cola in exchange for Chester Tolomia. Then Coke traded Villanueva to Purefoods for Marc Pingris. Pingris was then traded to Magnolia in exchange of the team's future draft pick and Wilson was sent to Barangay Ginebra in exchange for Mark Macapagal. [ [http://www.pba.ph/content/view/2035/1/ ADDUCUL’S ILLNESS LEADS TO BIG 4-TEAM DEAL] PBA.ph]

PBA Ateneo-La Salle Showdown

A game was held for the benefit of the PBA Players' Educational Trust Fund at the Araneta Coliseum featuring players from UAAP archrivals Ateneo and La Salle. Studio 23 aired the event with ABS-CBN Sports producing.basketballbox|date=March 23 |place=Araneta Coliseum, Quezon City |TV=Studio 23
teamA=UAAPteam-rt|La Salle|name=PBA-La Salle |scoreA=90
teamB=UAAPteam|Ateneo|name=PBA-Ateneo |scoreB=90

2008 Fiesta Conference

Out-of-town games

These are the games held outside Metro Manila and Rizalbasketballbox | date = March 29 | bg=#eee
team1 = Coca-Cola Tigers |score1 = 87
team2 = Talk 'N Text Phone Pals |score2=79
place = Panabo Multi-Purpose Tourism, Cultural and Sport Center, Panabo, Davao del Norte |TV=ABC ----basketballbox | date = April 19
team1 = Barangay Ginebra Kings |score1 = 97
team2 = Sta. Lucia Realtors |score2=103
place = Tacloban Convention Center, Tacloban |TV=ABC basketballbox | date = April 19 |bg=#eee
team1 = Alaska Aces |score1 = 97
team2 = Red Bull Barako |score2=100
place = Ilocos Norte Centennial Arena, Laoag, Ilocos Norte |TV=ABC ----basketballbox | date = May 3
team1 = Magnolia Beverage Masters |score1 = 102
team2 = Red Bull Barako |score2=95
place = La Salle Sentrum, Lipa, Batangas |TV=ABC basketballbox | date = May 10 |bg=#eee
team1 = Alaska Aces |score1 = 78
team2 = Purefoods Tender Juicy Giants |score2= 88
place = Calape Sports Center, Calape, Bohol |TV=ABC basketballbox | date = May 17
team1 = Talk 'N Text Phone Pals |score1 = 90
team2 = Sta. Lucia Realtors |score2=80
place = Xavier University Gym, Cagayan de Oro |TV=ABC basketballbox | date = May 24 |bg=#eee
team1 = Air21 Express |score1 = 92
team2 = Barangay Ginebra Kings |score2= 97
place = Zamboanga City Coliseum, Zamboanga City |TV=ABC basketballbox | date = May 31
team1 = Magnolia Beverage Masters |score1 = 84
team2 = Talk 'N Text Phone Pals |score2=82
place = Puerto Princesa Coliseum, Puerto Princesa |TV=ABC ----basketballbox | date = June 7 |bg=#eee
team1 = Purefoods Tender Juicy Giants |score1 = 97
team2 = Welcoat Dragons |score2=102
place = Mindanao Sports and Civic Center Tubod |TV=ABC

Notable events

*Air21 Express' Homer Se was fined P20,000 for a flagrant foul-penalty 1 on their game against the Sta. Lucia Realtors when he put up a fighting stance after the looseball scramble between Williams and Air21 guard Wynne Arboleda directed towards SLR rookie Ryan Reyes and import Jamar Brown. [ [http://www.pba.ph/content/view/2148/1/ SE FINED P20,000 FOR 2 0FFENSES IN AIR21 – SLR GAME] ]

2008 PBA All-Star Weekend

The 2008 PBA All-Star Weekend was held from April 25 to April 27 at Bacolod City, Negros Occidental. The winners were:
*Three-point Shootout: Renren Ritualo (Talk 'N Text Phone Pals)
*Slam Dunk Competition: Kelly Williams (Sta. Lucia Realtors)
*Rookie-Sophomore Blitz Game:basketballbox
date = April 25
time =
report =
team1 = "'Rookies
score1 = 101"'
score2 = 97
team2 = Sophomores
place = West Negros University Gym, Bacolod City
TV = ABC:Ronjay Buenafe named the game's most valuable player.
*Legends Shootout: Active players - John Arigo (Coca Cola Tigers), Dondon Hontiveros (Magnolia Beverage Masters), Renren Ritualo (Talk 'N Text Phone Pals)
*All-Star Game:basketballbox |bg=#eee
date = April 27
time = 6:30 p.m.
report =
team1 = North All-Stars
score1 = 158
Q1 = 41-41
Q2 = 37-38
Q3 = 36-34
Q4 = 35-34
OT = 14-9
score2 = 163 (OT)
team2 = South All-Stars
points2 = Peter June Simon 29
points1 = Mark Caguioa 24
place = West Negros University Gym, Bacolod
attendance = 4,000+
TV = ABC
series = Peter June Simon named the game's most valuable player.

Individual awards

*Most Valuable Player: Kelly Williams (Sta. Lucia)
*Rookie of the Year: Ryan Reyes (Sta. Lucia)
*First Mythical Team:
**Mark Caguioa (Brgy. Ginebra)
**Jayjay Helterbrand (Brgy. Ginebra)
**Arwind Santos (Air21)
**Asi Taulava (Coca-Cola)
**Kelly Williams (Sta. Lucia)
*Second Mythical Team:
**Cyrus Baguio (Red Bull)
**Willie Miller (Alaska)
**Kerby Raymundo (Purefoods)
**Nelbert Omolon (Sta. Lucia)
**Sonny Thoss (Alaska)
*All-Defensive Team:
**Kelly Williams (Sta. Lucia)
**Ryan Reyes (Sta. Lucia)
**Arwind Santos (Air21)
**Marc Pingris (Magnolia)
**Wynne Arboleda (Air21)
*Most Improved Player: Cyrus Baguio (Red Bull)
*Sportsmanship Award: Ali Peek (Talk 'N Text)

References

External links

* [http://www.pba.ph PBA.ph]

PBAseason2
yearA=2007-08
Conference 1=Philippine Cup
yearB=2008
Conference 2=Fiesta Conference|TV=ABC PBA seasons