I still remember the excitement buzzing through the Philippine basketball community when the 2019 PBA season rosters were finally unveiled. As someone who's followed the league for over a decade, I've always found team-building fascinating - it's like watching chess masters make their moves, except with real human pieces who sweat, bleed, and dream of championships. That year particularly stood out because several teams were clearly in rebuilding phases, adopting what I'd call the "baby steps" philosophy that one coach perfectly captured in his statement about gradual improvement.
The 2019 season saw some fascinating roster constructions that reflected different team philosophies. San Miguel Beermen, always the powerhouse, maintained their core of June Mar Fajardo, Arwind Santos, and Alex Cabagnot - veterans who knew how to win championships. Meanwhile, teams like Columbian Dyip took the opposite approach, betting on young talents like CJ Perez, who turned out to be an absolute revelation, averaging around 20 points per game in his rookie season. What struck me most was how some teams embraced the gradual development approach rather than chasing quick fixes. I've always believed this patient team-building creates more sustainable success, even if it tests fans' patience initially.
Looking at the Barangay Ginebra roster, they had this beautiful blend of veteran leadership and young energy that I absolutely loved. With Tim Cone's system and LA Tenorio's court generalship, they provided the perfect environment for younger players to develop. Their 2019 roster included both battle-tested warriors and promising talents like Scottie Thompson, who continued to evolve into the stellar two-way player he is today. Meanwhile, TNT KaTropa assembled what I considered one of the most explosive backcourts in the league with Jayson Castro, Roger Pogoy, and Terrence Romeo - though I'll admit I thought their frontcourt needed more depth to truly contend.
The quote about taking "baby steps" and not sprinting right away resonated deeply with me because I've seen too many teams rush their development and collapse under pressure. Teams like Alaska and Phoenix embraced this mentality, focusing on system implementation and player development rather than immediate results. Alaska's roster, led by Vic Manuel and Chris Banchero, showed steady improvement throughout the season, while Phoenix built around Matthew Wright and Jason Perkins - young players who grew together. This approach might not deliver instant championships, but it builds character and team chemistry that pays dividends later.
What many casual fans don't realize is that roster construction involves so much more than just collecting talent. The salary cap, which was around 50 million pesos per team that season, forced general managers to make tough decisions about whom to keep and whom to let go. Teams had to balance star power with role players, considering both short-term needs and long-term development. Rain or Shine, for instance, maintained their blue-collar identity with players like Gabe Norwood and Beau Belga, while injecting young blood through the draft. Their consistent approach to team-building has always impressed me, even when they're not winning championships.
The import conferences added another layer of complexity to roster management. For the Commissioner's Cup, teams had to find imports who complemented their local talent, with height limits varying by conference. I particularly enjoyed watching NorthPort's performance with import Prince Ibeh, who formed a formidable partnership with Stanley Pringle and Sean Anthony. Their run to the semifinals that conference demonstrated how the right import could elevate an entire team's performance. Meanwhile, Magnolia's choice of James Farr as their import for that conference never quite clicked in my opinion, despite their strong local crew led by Paul Lee and Ian Sangalang.
As the season progressed, we saw how these roster decisions played out on the court. The Philippine Cup typically favored teams with deep local rotations, which explained San Miguel's continued dominance in that conference. Their "death lineup" of Fajardo, Santos, Cabagnot, Lassiter, and Ross had been together for years, developing almost telepathic chemistry. Contrast this with Blackwater's approach - they kept tweaking their roster throughout the season, searching for the right combinations. While their 10-18 win-loss record across all conferences wasn't impressive, they uncovered gems like Ray Parks Jr., who averaged about 17 points per game in his debut season.
Reflecting on the entire 2019 season, the teams that embraced gradual development often showed the most promising growth trajectories. The "baby steps" philosophy isn't about accepting mediocrity - it's about building sustainable success through deliberate improvement. Teams like NLEX, with their veteran-heavy lineup featuring Asi Taulava and Larry Fonacier mentoring younger players, demonstrated how this approach could keep a team competitive while transitioning between eras. Even Meralco, with their methodical build around Chris Newsome and Baser Amer, showed how patience in player development could create a distinct team identity.
The beauty of the PBA's roster construction lies in how each team's approach reflects their organizational culture and vision. Some chase immediate glory, while others plant seeds for future harvest. Having followed the league through multiple seasons, I've come to appreciate teams that stick to their development plans even during rough patches. The 2019 season taught me that in basketball, as in life, sustainable growth often comes from those small, consistent improvements rather than dramatic overnight transformations. The teams that understood this didn't just build rosters - they built foundations for lasting success.
