I still remember the 2019 Honda PBA Philippine Cup season like it was yesterday—the electric atmosphere in arenas, the unexpected uprisings, and those heartbreaking losses that left fans speechless. Looking back at the complete team rankings and season results, I can't help but draw parallels to recent developments in Philippine sports, particularly the surprising omission of Steven Rotter from the Alas Pilipinas Men's 14-man squad for the 2025 FIVB Volleyball Men's World Championship. Just as Rotter's absence raises questions about selection criteria and team dynamics, the 2019 PBA Philippine Cup had its own share of roster surprises and strategic gambles that ultimately defined the championship landscape.

The San Miguel Beermen's championship run was nothing short of spectacular, finishing the elimination round with 8 wins against only 3 losses before dominating the playoffs. What impressed me most was how they peaked at exactly the right moment—something I've noticed separates good teams from legendary ones. Their 4-2 finals victory over the Magnolia Hotshots represented their fifth consecutive Philippine Cup title, an incredible achievement that may never be matched in modern PBA history. Watching June Mar Fajisto dominate the paint while Christian Standhardinger provided versatile support reminded me why team composition often trumps individual talent. This brings me back to Rotter's situation—sometimes coaches see something in practice or specific matchups that fans and analysts miss, much like how certain PBA lineups that looked questionable on paper ended up working beautifully on court.

Rain or Shine finished second in the eliminations with a 9-2 record, showing remarkable consistency throughout the tournament. Their defensive intensity was something I particularly admired—they held opponents to under 85 points per game during their winning streak. Yet when it mattered most in the semifinals, they fell to Magnolia in a hard-fought 7-game series that came down to the final possession. The Elasto Painters' experience mirrors how narrow the margin can be between success and disappointment at the highest level, not unlike the razor-thin decisions that determine national team selections like Rotter's case. TNT KaTropa claimed the third seed with an 8-3 record, showcasing an explosive offense that could light up the scoreboard on any given night. I've always been partial to teams that play with pace and space, and TNT's style was genuinely exciting to watch, even if they ultimately fell short against San Miguel in the semifinals.

Phoenix Pulse finished fourth at 7-4, proving that emerging teams could compete with established powers through disciplined system basketball. What stood out to me was their player development—watching Matthew Wright evolve into a legitimate star reminded me why I love tracking progression throughout a season. The Fuel Masters' quarterfinal victory over Alaska showed their growth, though they eventually bowed to Magnolia. Speaking of Alaska, the Aces secured the fifth spot with a 6-5 record, demonstrating the parity that made this tournament so compelling. Their first-round playoff exit despite a respectable record highlights how the Philippine Cup's single-round format creates tremendous pressure—every game matters, much like every practice and scrimmage matters when coaches are evaluating players for limited national team spots.

Barangay Ginebra's sixth-place finish at 5-6 was perhaps the most disappointing result for many fans, myself included. I've always had a soft spot for Ginebra's never-say-die attitude, but their inconsistent performance throughout the tournament showed that even popular teams with talented rosters can struggle to find rhythm. Their quarterfinal loss to Phoenix was particularly painful to watch—several possessions that could have gone either way ultimately didn't. NorthPort landed seventh at 5-6 as well, though tiebreakers placed them below Ginebra. The Batang Pier showed flashes of brilliance, especially when Stanley Pringle took over games, but their inability to close out tight contests cost them advancement. Meralco took eighth at 4-7, barely squeezing into playoff contention before being eliminated by Rain or Shine. Watching their struggles made me appreciate how difficult it is to maintain competitive intensity throughout a grueling season.

The bottom four teams—Blackwater (4-7), Columbian (3-8), NLEX (2-9), and Kia (now Terrafirma, 1-10)—faced various challenges that prevented them from playoff success. Blackwater's late-season collapse was particularly puzzling after a promising start, while Columbian's young roster showed potential despite their record. NLEX struggled with injuries to key players, and Kia's single victory provided at least one bright spot in a difficult campaign. Reflecting on these struggling teams, I'm reminded that rebuilding processes require patience—something fans (including myself) often struggle to maintain. The distribution of wins across the league that season—from San Miguel's 8 victories to Kia's solitary win—created a competitive balance that made nearly every game meaningful until the final elimination round games.

What continues to fascinate me about the 2019 Philippine Cup is how it demonstrated multiple pathways to team construction and success. San Miguel relied on veteran leadership and championship experience, Rain or Shine emphasized defensive discipline, TNT prioritized offensive firepower, and Phoenix built through player development. This diversity of approaches makes Philippine basketball so compelling to analyze year after year. The tournament also highlighted how quickly fortunes can change—teams that looked dominant in November sometimes struggled by January, while others found their rhythm as the tournament progressed. This unpredictability is part of what makes sports so captivating, whether we're discussing PBA standings or national team selections like the Alas Pilipinas roster decisions.

As I look back at the complete 2019 Honda PBA Philippine Cup standings and results, I'm struck by how each team's journey contained valuable lessons about roster construction, coaching strategies, and in-game execution. The tournament rewarded adaptability and resilience above all else—qualities that remain essential for success in any team sport. While we can analyze statistics and records, there's always an element of human drama that numbers can't fully capture, whether in basketball or volleyball national team selections. The 2019 Philippine Cup season remains one of my favorite tournaments to revisit, not just for San Miguel's historic achievement, but for the countless compelling narratives that unfolded across all twelve teams throughout those thrilling months of competition.

LIGHTING, LIGHTING, AND MORE LIGHTING
People are typically drawn to bars solely based on their atmosphere. The best way to knock your next commercial bar design out of the park is using the perfect amount and type of lighting. Use standout light fixtures as their very own statement piece, track lighting for adjustable ambiance, hanging pendant lights over tables, and ambient backlighting to display the alcohol. Bartenders need to serve and customers need to order, so make sure it’s just functional as it is attractive. 

CHOOSING YOUR BARTOP
What may seem so obvious, is often so overlooked in commercial bar design- the material of your actual bartop itself. While we realize stone and marble are as classy and elegant-looking as can be, the reality is that they just aren’t your best option for a durable and long lasting bartop. They crack, have no grip, and break way too many glasses. Opt for a high-quality wood bar instead. Oaks, maples, mahoganies, and ashes are sturdy and provide your customers with a firm grip for their glasses. 

THEME 
In a sea of millions upon millions of bars, how can you make your commercial bar design stand apart from the rest? The answer is to pick a unique, centralized theme and run with it. Whether it’s your next sit-down restaurant bar design, or remodeling the small, locally-favorite gem, you have to find out what your clientele wants. Survey the neighborhood of your establishment and find out what the demographics are there. Maybe a gritty, western bar would be a hit. Or maybe a more modern, sleek design is what’s missing in the area. Whatever theme you decide upon, hit it out of the park with the perfect lighting, wall art, music, and furniture. It’s all in the details. 

THE GUIDE TO YOUR NEXT RESTOBAR 
You’ve got the food, you’ve got the restaurant, you’ve got the customers, now all you need is a beautifully designed bar to top it all off.  Small bar designs for restaurants have a tendency to be a little thrown together and incohesive with the rest of the establishment. Stay on brand- create consistency with tying in the same color scheme, furniture, art, and overall ambiance of the pre-existing restaurant. Make sure the placement of your bar makes sense as well, have it in a place where it’s visible and easy to navigate but not in the way of servers and other guests. If the bar is going to serve food, be sure to consider the location of the kitchen to not obstruct traffic flow. Consider all of these small tips as you work through your next restaurant bar design. 

SPACE CONSTRAINT 
It’s no secret that bars have the reputation of being a little cramped, and in some cases- way too cramped. Consider all of the space constraints while designing your next commercial bar design and we can change that bad rap that bars have been holding for far too long. First and foremost, be sure to measure your bar, barstool, cabinet, and equipment height. Generally, a bar is 42” in height while a stool is 30” in height. Also be sure to allow at least 3’ of space between the bar and the alcohol for the bartender’s functionality and efficiency. Consider multiple register and drink-making stations for bartenders as well. Allowing 2’ between patrons is going to give them enough space to eat and drink, and most importantly, simply be comfortable. All of these considerations are especially helpful if it is a restaurant bar design, where the space is even more valuable.