As I sat down to analyze the 2022 PBA season standings, I couldn't help but reflect on what made this particular season so memorable in Philippine basketball history. Having followed the league for over a decade, I've witnessed numerous teams rise and fall, but this season presented one of the most dramatic leaderboard battles I've ever seen. The competition was fierce from the very beginning, with teams jockeying for position in ways that kept fans like myself on the edge of our seats throughout the entire tournament.
Let me start by addressing the elephant in the room - the Golden Stags' performance was nothing short of heartbreaking. Watching them become the first team to bid adieu in the preseason tournament after going winless in all nine games was tough to witness. I remember thinking during their final game that this might be one of the most challenging seasons any PBA team has faced in recent memory. Their 0-9 record in the preseason set a rather somber tone for what would otherwise become an incredibly competitive regular season. What made their situation particularly striking was how they started strong in several matches but just couldn't close out games when it mattered most.
The regular season told a completely different story though, with teams like San Miguel Beermen and Barangay Ginebra demonstrating why they're considered powerhouses in the league. San Miguel finished with what I believe was their strongest regular season performance in three years, racking up an impressive 9-2 record in the elimination round. Their offensive efficiency was simply outstanding - they averaged 104.3 points per game while holding opponents to just 96.8 points. These numbers aren't just good, they're championship-caliber statistics that clearly showed why they dominated the leaderboard for most of the season.
What fascinated me most about the 2022 standings was how the middle of the pack shaped up. Teams like TNT Tropang Giga and Magnolia Hotshots created this incredibly tight race for playoff positioning that went down to the final week of eliminations. I've always believed that the true test of a team's character comes during these crucial positioning battles, and this season proved me right. TNT's late-season surge was particularly impressive - they won 7 of their last 8 games to secure a top-three spot after spending much of the early season hovering around fifth place.
The conference format itself played a significant role in how the standings evolved. Unlike previous seasons where teams had more time to find their rhythm, the compressed schedule meant every game carried tremendous weight. I noticed teams that adapted quickly to back-to-back games and short rest periods tended to perform better in the standings. Rain or Shine Elasto Painters, for instance, surprised everyone by maintaining a .600 winning percentage despite having one of the youngest rosters in the league. Their ability to handle the grueling schedule better than more experienced teams was one of the season's most pleasant surprises.
From my perspective, the player statistics that most directly correlated with team success were rebounding margins and three-point shooting percentages. The top four teams in the standings all ranked in the top five in both offensive rebounds and three-point percentage. This wasn't coincidental - the modern PBA game has clearly evolved to prioritize floor spacing and second-chance opportunities. Teams that struggled in these areas, like the NorthPort Batang Pier who finished with a disappointing 4-7 record, often found themselves falling behind in the standings despite having talented rosters.
The playoff race itself created some of the most dramatic basketball I've seen in years. With only two games separating the fourth and eighth seeds heading into the final week, every possession mattered in ways that we rarely see in professional basketball. I remember watching the crucial match between NLEX Road Warriors and Phoenix Super LPG where the winner would secure the final playoff spot - the intensity was palpable even through the television screen. NLEX ultimately prevailed in overtime, finishing with a 6-5 record that barely edged out Phoenix's 5-6 standing.
Looking back at the complete standings, what stands out to me is how effectively the top teams maintained their consistency throughout the season. The top three teams - San Miguel, Barangay Ginebra, and TNT - never dropped below .500 at any point in the season, which is a testament to their coaching staff and player development programs. Meanwhile, teams that struggled with injuries or roster changes, like the Blackwater Bossing who finished with a 3-8 record, found it difficult to build any sustainable momentum.
The 2022 PBA season taught us that while preseason performance can indicate certain trends, it's the regular season where true contenders separate themselves from the pack. The Golden Stags' preseason struggles, while historically significant for all the wrong reasons, ultimately became just a footnote in what developed into one of the most competitive and entertaining seasons in recent PBA history. As we look ahead to future seasons, the 2022 standings will likely be remembered as a benchmark for competitive balance and dramatic finishes that kept fans like myself completely engaged from start to finish.
