Discover the Top PBA Players of 2019 and Their Winning Strategies Revealed

As I look back at the 2019 PBA season, I can't help but marvel at how certain players completely redefined what it means to be elite in Philippine basketball. Having followed the league for over a decade, I've developed a keen eye for spotting those special athletes who don't just play the game but truly master it. The 2019 season stood out to me as particularly remarkable because we witnessed several players reaching what I believe was their absolute peak performance level. What fascinates me most isn't just their raw talent - though there was plenty of that - but rather the sophisticated strategies and mental approaches they employed to dominate the court.

I remember watching June Mar Fajherty that season and thinking I was witnessing basketball perfection. The man was simply unstoppable, averaging what I recall was around 22 points and 14 rebounds per game - numbers that still boggle my mind when I think about them. But here's what really impressed me: his strategy wasn't about flashy moves or highlight-reel plays. Instead, he perfected what I like to call "positional dominance." He had this incredible ability to establish perfect position in the paint before even receiving the ball. I noticed he would use subtle footwork and body positioning to create angles that made scoring almost inevitable. His secret weapon, in my observation, was his patience - he never rushed his moves, always waiting for the perfect moment to strike. This methodical approach might seem simple, but trust me, it's what separated him from other big men in the league.

Then there was Stanley Pringle, whose game I've always admired for its sheer intelligence. What made his 2019 performance so special, in my view, was how he mastered pace control. Unlike many guards who rely purely on speed, Pringle had this remarkable ability to change speeds so effectively that defenders simply couldn't read him. I remember specifically watching him in crucial moments where he would deliberately slow the game down, almost like a chess master contemplating his next move, before exploding into action. His scoring average that season was around 19 points per game if I'm not mistaken, but numbers don't capture how strategically he picked his moments to attack. What really stood out to me was his three-point shooting - he shot approximately 38% from beyond the arc, but he never forced bad shots. Every attempt felt calculated, like part of a larger strategic plan.

What many fans might not realize is how much team chemistry factors into individual success, and this brings me to the fascinating case of LA Tenorio. Now, I've always been partial to point guards who play with high basketball IQ, and Tenorio exemplifies this perfectly. Taking over a Magnolia team that had been consistently making playoffs but only captured one championship - the 2018 Governors' Cup - since their grand slam under Cone in the 2013-14 season presented unique challenges. From my perspective, Tenorio's greatest strength was his ability to elevate his teammates. He averaged about 12 points and 6 assists that season, but his real impact came from what I call "invisible leadership." He had this knack for making the right play at the right moment, whether it was controlling the tempo or finding the hot hand. His strategy revolved around making everyone around him better, which created a more dynamic and unpredictable offense.

I can't discuss 2019 without mentioning Christian Standhardinger, whose game I've always found fascinating because of its relentless energy. His approach was what I'd describe as controlled chaos - he never stopped moving, constantly putting pressure on defenses through sheer activity. What impressed me most was his motor; he seemed to outwork everyone on the court, grabbing what felt like every loose ball and offensive rebound. His scoring numbers were solid - around 17 points per game - but where he really shined was in creating second-chance opportunities. I remember counting at least 3-4 possessions per game where his hustle directly led to points that wouldn't have happened with a less determined player.

What struck me about these top performers was how their individual strategies complemented their team's systems. The best players, in my experience, aren't just talented individuals but strategic thinkers who understand how to maximize their strengths within their team's framework. For instance, Tenorio's leadership perfectly meshed with Magnolia's system, creating what I believe was one of the most cohesive units in the league that season. Their playoff run demonstrated how individual excellence, when properly channeled through team strategy, can create something truly special.

Reflecting on that season, I'm convinced that the most successful players shared certain strategic commonalities beyond their physical skills. They all demonstrated exceptional basketball intelligence, understanding not just what to do but when to do it. They mastered pace and timing, knew when to push and when to pull back, and most importantly, they understood their roles within their teams perfectly. These insights have shaped how I evaluate player performance to this day - it's not just about statistics but about strategic impact. The legacy of these 2019 standouts continues to influence how the game is played today, and frankly, I miss watching that level of strategic basketball. The league has evolved since then, but for my money, the 2019 season represented a peak in terms of individual mastery married to team success.