WATCH: PBA Best Blocks of 2019!

Owing to its commitment to the Gilas program, the Philippine Basketball Association is adopting the same format it had last year when it ushers its 45th season starting on March 3.

The league’s 2020 playing calendar kicks off with the season-opening Philippine Cup at the Smart Araneta Coliseum where five-time defending champion San Miguel Beer kicks off its title retention bid against Magnolia in the lone game on opening night.

The All-Filipino Cup will last until June to be promptly followed by the Commissioner’s Cup that features imports with a height limit of 6-foot-10.

The season-ending Governors’ Cup then ushers the final conference of the year showcasing imports 6-foot-5 and below and which is expected to again overlap until January of 2021.

PBA Board chairman Ricky Vargas said embracing the same set-up from last season is imperative especially with the league schedule again adjusting to the Gilas Pilipinas campaign in the FIBA Asia Cup 2021 qualifiers that begins this February.