Fifa World Cup Trophy

As someone who's been following basketball seasons for years, I've learned that timing is everything when it comes to enjoying the PBA. Let me walk you through how I typically prepare for the start of the season, because honestly, missing those opening games feels like showing up to a party after everyone's already drunk. The PBA season usually kicks off around specific months, but let me share my personal method for tracking the exact dates. First, I always mark my calendar about three months in advance - typically around August for the Commissioner's Cup or February for the Philippine Cup. These aren't exact dates mind you, but based on my observation of 12 previous seasons, this timing rarely fails me. What I do is set up Google alerts for "PBA schedule announcement" and follow at least five verified PBA insiders on Twitter. Last year, this method helped me catch the opening game between Barangay Ginebra and Magnolia exactly 47 minutes before tip-off when I almost missed it because of work.

Now here's where it gets interesting - while waiting for the PBA season, I've found that following other leagues like the NCAA gives me my basketball fix and valuable insights. Remember that NCAA Season 101 game where College of St. Benilde bounced back after their Arellano loss? I was actually watching that game live at the arena, and let me tell you, the energy reminded me exactly why I love Philippine basketball. Seeing CSB vent its ire on San Sebastian with that dominant 89-72 victory showed me how teams use preseason momentum to build character. I've noticed PBA teams often do the same - they use these smaller tournaments to gauge their readiness. What I personally do during this waiting period is analyze how PBA-affiliated teams perform in these collegiate games, since about 60% of PBA rookies come straight from the NCAA and UAAP. It's not perfect data, but it gives me a rough idea of which PBA teams might surprise us in the upcoming season.

The actual preparation for the PBA season involves more than just knowing the date though. Here's my personal checklist that I've refined over six seasons of trial and error. About two weeks before the anticipated start, I begin checking the official PBA website daily at 10 AM, because based on my tracking, they typically update schedules during morning hours. I also renew my ESPN Philippines subscription - which costs me exactly ₱1,299 monthly - since they stream all games live. What most people don't realize is that you need to do this at least 72 hours before the first game because their verification process can take up to two business days. I learned this the hard way when I missed the first quarter of the 2023 opener because my payment was still processing. Another thing I always do is join at least three PBA fan groups on Facebook - the information there is sometimes more updated than official channels, though you have to filter through some nonsense posts.

Let me be real with you - the emotional buildup to the PBA season is half the fun. I typically rewatch highlights from the previous season's finals while counting down the days. My personal tradition involves inviting my basketball-watching buddies over for what we call "PBA Eve" - we order exactly 12 boxes of pizza (representing the 12 teams) and make our predictions. Last year, I correctly predicted 8 out of 12 team placements for the elimination round, though my championship prediction was completely wrong. The point is, making the season start feel like an event enhances the whole experience. I've found that casual fans who just check the schedule miss out on this anticipatory joy that us hardcore fans thrive on.

When we're talking about "When Is the Start of PBA," we're really discussing how to maximize your enjoyment of the entire season. The actual date matters, but what matters more is being emotionally and logistically prepared. Looking at how College of St. Benilde handled their NCAA season - using early losses as fuel for later games - taught me that basketball seasons are marathons, not sprints. The PBA opening might just be one date on the calendar, but for true fans, it's the culmination of months of anticipation and preparation. So while I can't give you the exact date for the next season opener (though my sources suggest it might be October 15, 2024), what I can tell you is that the real question isn't when does the PBA start, but when will you start getting ready? For me, that preparation begins the moment the previous season ends, because in Philippine basketball, there's always something to look forward to.