2005–06 PBA season


The 2005–06 PBA season was the 31st season of the Philippine Basketball Association. It began on October 2, 2005, and ended on July 21, 2006. The season had two conferences played, the import-laiden 2005–06 San Mig Coffee Fiesta Conference and the season-ending 2006 Gran Matador Brandy Philippine Cup.

Opening ceremonies

The muses for the participating teams are as follows:
TeamMuse
Air21 ExpressBianca King
Alaska AcesKyla
Barangay Ginebra KingsGabriela Leguia
Coca-Cola TigersNikki Gil
Purefoods Chunkee GiantsKelly Misa
Red Bull BarakoDana Gajtandzievova-Leitner
San Miguel BeermenJenny Hernandez
Sta. Lucia RealtorsMaan Biot
Talk 'N Text Phone PalsKristine Hermosa

2005–06 Fiesta Conference

Red Bull Barako won the 2005–06 Fiesta Conference defeating the Purefoods Chunkee Giants in six games. The Air21 Express defeated Barangay Ginebra Kings to capture third place in a one-game playoff.
Enrico Villanueva of Red Bull won the Best Player of the Conference honors while Purefoods' import Marquin Chandler won the Best Import Award. The league introduced a Give Me 5 Promo, in which tickets for Upper Box B and General Admission seats would cost only five pesos. The marketing scheme paid off as the league had multiple soldout games during the conference.
In the 2005 PBA All-Star Game held in Laoag City, Ilocos Norte on November 26, 2005, the North All-Stars defeated the South All-Stars. Ginebra's Jayjay Helterbrand won the All-Star Game MVP honors.

2006 Philippine Cup

The Purefoods Chunkee Giants defeated the Red Bull Barako, 4–2, in their best-of-seven finals series to win the Philippine Cup. On the third place playoff, the Alaska Aces defeated the San Miguel Beermen.
The South All-Stars defeated the North All-Stars 122–120 in the All-Star Game held in Cagayan de Oro on April 29, 2006. Asi Taulava was named as the All-Star Game MVP.
On May 14, 2006, an incident occurred when Purefoods' Eugene Tejada suffered a career-threatening injury against Red Bull, suffering extensive neck and spinal cord injuries.

Awards

Most Valuable Player: James Yap Rookie of the Year: Larry Fonacier Most Improved Player: Marc Pingris Mythical Five:

Awards given by the PBA Press Corps

Coach of the Year: Ryan Gregorio Mr. Quality Minutes: Ronald Tubid Comeback Player of the Year: Danny Seigle Referee of the Year: Luisito Cruz