Format
The following format will be observed for the duration of the conference:
- The teams were divided into 2 groups, based on their performance in the 2008–09 PBA Philippine Cup elimination round. Group A are teams that finished the Philippine Cup's elimination round in 1st, 4th, 5th, 8th and 9th positions, while Group B are the 2nd, 3rd, 6th, 7th and 10th.
Group A:
|
Group B:
|
- Teams in a group will play against each other once and against teams in the other group twice; 14 games per team; Teams are then seeded by basis on win-loss records. Ties are broken among point differentials of the tied teams, except for ties for #2, #5 and #8. Standings will be determined in one league table; teams do not qualify by basis of groupings.
- Wildcard phase:
- WC1: #3 vs. #10, with #3 having the twice-to-beat advantage
- WC2: #4 vs. #9, with #4 having the twice-to-beat advantage
- WC3: #5 vs. #8 in a knockout game
- WC4: #6 vs. #7 in a knockout game
- Best-of-three quarterfinals:
- QF1: WC1 vs. WC3
- QF2: WC2 vs. WC4
- Best-of-seven semifinals:
- SF1: QF1 vs. #1
- SF2: QF2 vs. #2
- Third-place playoff: losers of the semifinals
- Best-of-seven Finals: winners of the semifinals
- This is basically same format used throughout the 2004-05 PBA season, save for WC3 and WC4 were conducted in a best-of-3 series.
Read more about this topic: 2009 PBA Fiesta Conference