A Look Back at the Exciting PBA D League 2019 Season Highlights

I still remember the buzz surrounding the 2019 PBA D-League season—it was one of those years where you could genuinely feel the league coming into its own. As someone who's followed Philippine basketball for over a decade, I've seen how the D-League has evolved from a developmental sideshow into a legitimate breeding ground for future PBA stars, and the 2019 season absolutely solidified that reputation. What made it particularly exciting was watching how emerging talents balanced their D-League commitments with national team duties—a dynamic that added layers to both player development and team strategies throughout the season.

Take the case of RJ Abarrientos and Juan Gomez de Liaño, for instance. Both were standout guards that year, and their performances didn't just earn them D-League accolades; they caught the eye of Gilas Pilipinas selectors. I recall talking to a scout mid-season who mentioned that Abarrientos' playmaking and defensive tenacity were "impossible to ignore," and by April, he was already participating in Gilas' first practice session that Monday. It’s worth noting that Abarrientos averaged around 14.2 points and 5.8 assists that season—numbers that might not seem staggering at first glance, but when you consider his efficiency and leadership on the floor, you understand why he became a hot topic. Similarly, Gomez de Liaño brought an explosive scoring ability that saw him drop 20-plus points in at least six games. Their rapid transition from D-League to national team practices highlighted how the league was fast-tracking players into the senior basketball circuit.

Then there was the intriguing situation with James Lucero, a versatile forward who showed flashes of brilliance but hadn’t quite broken through. I’ve always had a soft spot for players like Lucero—those with raw talent that just needs polishing—and his 2019 season was a mixed bag of explosive dunks and inconsistent shooting. While Abarrientos and others were already diving into Gilas preparations, Lucero was still in the US for a vacation, which sparked quite a bit of discussion among fans and analysts. Some argued he was missing a critical opportunity, while others, including myself, felt the break might do him good given the grueling schedule these young athletes face. Rumor had it he was working with a personal trainer overseas, focusing on his three-point accuracy, which had hovered around 28% during the season. Whether that paid off or not, it underscored how individual paths in the D-League can vary wildly, and how player management is as much about rest as it is about rigor.

The Foundation Group’s surprising championship run was another highlight that sticks in my memory. They weren’t the favorites—far from it—but they gelled at the right time, pulling off upsets that reminded everyone why we love sports. I attended their semifinal game against the favored CEU Scorpions, and the energy in the arena was electric. Foundation won by a narrow margin, something like 85-83, thanks to a last-second block that brought the house down. That kind of moment is what the D-League does best: it offers unscripted drama and a platform for players who might not have the big names but have enormous hearts. From a strategic standpoint, their coach employed a high-pressure defense that forced an average of 18 turnovers per game in the playoffs, a tactic I believe more teams should adopt in today’s fast-paced game.

Looking back, the 2019 season wasn’t just about games and stats; it was a narrative of growth and transition. For every Abarrientos who seamlessly moved into the Gilas fold, there were players like Lucero navigating their own timelines, and teams like Foundation proving that cohesion can trump star power. As a analyst, I’d argue this season helped shift perceptions about the D-League—it was no longer a mere stepping stone but a core component of Philippine basketball’s ecosystem. The blend of youth, ambition, and occasional unpredictability made it a joy to cover, and I’m convinced we’ll look back at the 2019 cohort as one that produced several future PBA mainstays. If you ask me, that’s the real victory—not just the highlights we cheered for, but the careers that were launched along the way.