2001 PBA season


The 2001 PBA season was the 27th season of the Philippine Basketball Association.

Board of governors

Executive committee

Notable occurrences

  • Due to the aftermath of the Second EDSA Revolution, the uncertainty of opening a new PBA season became imminent were unsure if they will still continue in taking part of the league. Likewise, it was then not known who will be in charge of the PBA's main venue, the ULTRA and Viva TV TV network partner IBC. The league eventually opened its season at The ULTRA on January 28 and was aired on PTV.
  • During the pre-season, Tanduay made soundwaves in the PBA when they dangled Danny Ildefonso of corporate rival San Miguel Beermen a whopping 16-year, 96 million peso offersheet. The league though, nullified the said deal since it was believed that the offersheet violated the team's salary cap.
  • Danny Ildefonso of San Miguel became the third player to win the Most Valuable Player award for two straight seasons, Ildefonso also sets a record by sweeping the season's Best Player of the Conference award, his unprecedented feat started in 2000 when he emerged as the award winner in the Commissioner's and Governors' Cups, his BPC wins surpassed the three apiece won by Vergel Meneses and Alvin Patrimonio.
  • Purefoods' Alvin Patrimonio became the first player to suit up for 500 straight games
  • Alaska import Sean Chambers hung up his number 20 jersey after 13 years in a highly emotional retirement ceremony.
  • The corporate sale of Purefoods, including its PBA franchise, to San Miguel Corporation at the end of the year was eventually approved by the Board of Governors, the Hotdogs became the third team under the San Miguel corporate umbrella.
  • Paul Asi Taulava and Eric Menk, two fil-foreign players, returned to their respective ballclubs, Taulava reunited with the Phone Pals around mid-year while Menk suited up for Tanduay a little later.
  • In a stunning move in late December, Tanduay shipped Eric Menk, Dondon Hontiveros, Bonel Balingit and Chris Cantonjos to other teams as a prelude to Tanduay's subsequent sale of its franchise to FedEx, the delivery firm, for P 75 million.

Opening ceremonies

The muses for the participating teams are as follows:
TeamMuse
Alaska AcesVanessa Garcia
Batang Red Bull ThunderSandra Seifert and Josephine Bonizado
Barangay Ginebra KingsGeneva Cruz
Pop Cola PanthersRuffa Mae Quinto
Mobiline Phone PalsPatricia Javier
Purefoods TJ HotdogsAntoinette Taus
San Miguel BeermenPhoemela Baranda
Shell Turbo ChargersPia Guanio
Sta. Lucia RealtorsMarielle Lopez and Jeremie Antiporda
Tanduay Rhum MastersJanna Victoria

Awards

[Philippine Basketball Association Philippine Basketball Association Most Valuable Player award|Most Valuable Player award|Most Valuable Player]: Danny Ildefonso Rookie of the Year: Mark Caguioa Sportsmanship Award: Rey Evangelista Most Improved Player: Noy Castillo Defensive Player of the Year: Chris Jackson Mythical Five

Awards given by the PBA Press Corps

Coach of the Year: Yeng Guiao Mr. Quality Minutes: Mark Caguioa Executive of the Year: Sonny Barios Referee of the Year: Ernie de Leon