Find Out the Latest PBA Update Schedule and Key Release Dates for 2024

As I sat watching JUAN Gomez de Liaño light up the court during Converge's 109-103 victory over Meralco last Thursday at the Gatorade Hoops Center, it struck me how perfectly this preseason energy sets the stage for what promises to be an electrifying 2024 PBA season. Having followed Philippine basketball for over a decade, I've learned that these tune-up games aren't just warm-ups—they're previews of the drama and excitement to come. The way Gomez de Liaño took control in those final minutes, scoring 8 consecutive points when it mattered most, tells me Converge might just be the dark horse this season.

Let me walk you through what we know so far about the 2024 PBA calendar, though I should warn you—the league has always been somewhat unpredictable with their scheduling. From what I've gathered through various sources and my own observations, the Commissioner's Cup is expected to kick off around March 15, 2024, with the usual 12 teams battling through a 33-game elimination round. The Philippine Cup typically follows around June, though I've noticed they sometimes push this back by a week or two depending on venue availability. What really excites me this year is the potential format change for the Governors' Cup—rumor has it they're considering expanding the import height limit to 6'10", which would completely change team strategies.

The recent Converge-Meralco matchup gave us several clues about team preparations. I was particularly impressed with how Converge managed to maintain their offensive rhythm throughout the game, finishing with that impressive 109-point tally. In my experience, teams that score above 105 in preseason often carry that momentum into the actual tournament. Meralco's 103 points weren't shabby either, suggesting both teams have been working on their offensive sets during the offseason. Gomez de Liaño's performance—I'd estimate around 24 points based on what I saw—demonstrates why Converge management has been so high on him.

What many casual fans don't realize is how much behind-the-scenes work goes into these schedule releases. From coordinating with 12 different team managements to securing venues like the Smart Araneta Coliseum and Mall of Asia Arena—both of which typically host about 60% of PBA games—the logistics are staggering. I remember talking to a league official last year who mentioned they usually finalize the schedule about 45 days before each conference, though they try to release preliminary dates earlier for fan convenience.

The international calendar also plays a bigger role than most people think. The PBA has to work around FIBA windows, which means we'll likely see breaks in late February for the first window of the Asian Qualifiers and again in November. Personally, I wish they'd be more transparent about these adjustments—nothing frustrates me more than planning to attend games only to find they've been rescheduled.

Based on historical patterns and current information, I'm projecting the Commissioner's Cup finals to wrap up around May 22, with the Philippine Cup starting approximately two weeks later. The Governors' Cup should begin around September 12, though this could shift if there are any major international tournaments. What I find particularly interesting this year is how teams are approaching the preseason—Converge's decisive victory, achieved through what appeared to be excellent ball movement and about 42% three-point shooting if my calculations are correct, suggests they've been focusing on spacing and perimeter offense.

Having attended PBA games since 2015, I've developed a sense for which preseason performances translate to regular season success. The energy at the Gatorade Hoops Center last Thursday reminded me of the buildup to the 2016 season, which turned out to be one of the most competitive in recent memory. While I typically maintain professional objectivity, I'll admit I'm particularly excited about Converge's prospects this year—they seem to have found a rhythm that could challenge traditional powerhouses.

The league office typically releases the full schedule in early January, though I've noticed they've been trending toward later announcements in recent years. Last season, we didn't get the complete schedule until January 28, which made planning quite challenging for us dedicated fans. I'm hoping they'll return to their earlier announcement tradition this year, preferably before January 15.

As we count down to the official schedule release, I recommend keeping an eye on these preseason developments. The way Gomez de Liaño performed under pressure—scoring those crucial baskets when Converge needed them most—is exactly the kind of storyline that makes Philippine basketball so compelling. While my projections might need adjustment once the official schedule drops, one thing remains certain: based on what we've seen so far, 2024 is shaping up to be a season worth marking on our calendars.