1996 PBA season
The 1996 PBA season was the 22nd season of the Philippine Basketball Association.
Board of governors
Executive committee
- Emilio P. Bernardino, Jr.
- Teodoro L. Dimayuga
- Nazario L. Avendaño
- Dr. Antonio V. Concepcion
Teams
Season highlights
- The league's broadcast partner, Vintage Sports, switched networks from People's Television to Intercontinental Broadcasting Corporation. They also changed their primary language from English to Tagalog.
- Crowd-favorite Ginebra San Miguel return to their winning ways after years of being a doormat with the entry of top draft pick, 6-9 Marlou Aquino, the Ginebras advances in the semifinals for the first time in three years during the All-Filipino Cup, their season was highlighted by a finals trip in the third conference, losing to grandslam champions Alaska Milkmen.
- The Pepsi Mega Bottlers sold their franchise to PILTEL and was renamed Mobiline Cellulars at the start of the Commissioner's Cup.
- The Alaska Milkmen became the fourth team to win the PBA Grand slam by sweeping all three conferences of the season, joining the 1976 and 1983 Crispa Redmanizers and the 1989 San Miguel Beermen.
- Johnny Abarrientos became the first pure guard to win the Most Valuable Player award since Ricardo Brown in 1985.
Opening ceremonies
Team | Muse |
Alaska Milkmen | Anamarie Pukon and Sharon Fuentes |
Formula Shell | Teresa Herrera |
Ginebra San Miguel | Amanda Page |
Pepsi Mega | Maricel Morales |
Purefoods Tender Juicy Hotdogs | Chantal Umali |
San Miguel Beermen | Candice Coral and Gracia |
Sta. Lucia Realtors | Cara Sobejano and Abigail Arenas |
Sunkist Orange Juicers | Vina Morales |
Champions
- All-Filipino Cup: Alaska Milkmen
- Commissioner's Cup: Alaska Milkmen
- Governor's Cup: Alaska Milkmen
- Team with best win-loss percentage: Alaska Milkmen
- Best Team of the Year: Alaska Milkmen
Individual awards
- Most Valuable Player: Johnny Abarrientos
- Rookie of the Year: Marlou Aquino
- Sportsmanship Award: Jerry Codiñera
- Most Improved Player: Edward "Poch" Juinio
- Defensive Player of the Year: Marlou Aquino
- Mythical Five:
- *Johnny Abarrientos
- *Rene Hawkins, Jr.
- *Jojo Lastimosa
- *Alvin Patrimonio
- *Marlou Aquino
- Mythical Second Team:
- *Bal David
- *Noli Locsin
- *Jeffrey Cariaso
- *Benjie Paras
- *Nelson Asaytono
- All Defensive Team:
- *Jerry Codiñera
- *Chris Jackson
- *Johnny Abarrientos
- *Jeffrey Cariaso
- *Marlou Aquino
Awards given by the PBA Press Corps
- Coach of the Year: Earl Timothy Cone
- Mr. Quality Minutes: Gilbert "Jun" Reyes, Jr.
- Executive of the Year: Emilio Bernardino
- Comeback Player of the Year: Richie Ticzon
- Referee of the Year: Ogie Bernarte
Cumulative standings