| 1996 PBA Commissioner's Cup | |
|---|---|
| Duration | June 14 – September 10, 1996 |
| TV partner(s) | Vintage Sports (IBC) |
| Finals | |
| Champions | Alaska Milkmen |
| Runners-up | Formula Shell Zoom Masters |
| Awards | |
| Best Player | Johnny Abarrientos (Alaska Milkmen) |
| Best Import | Kenny Redfield (Formula Shell Zoom Masters) |
| Finals MVP | Bong Hawkins (Alaska Milkmen) |
| PBA Commissioner's Cup chronology | |
| PBA conference chronology | |
The 1996 Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) Commissioner's Cup was the second conference of the 1996 PBA season. It started on June 14 and ended on September 10, 1996. The tournament is an import-laden format, which requires an import or a pure-foreign player for each team with a 6'7" height limit.
The following format will be observed for the duration of the conference:
Group A: | Group B: |
| Pos | Team | W | L | PCT | GB | Qualification |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Alaska Milkmen | 8 | 2 | .800 | — | Semifinal round |
| 2 | Ginebra San Miguel | 6 | 4 | .600 [a] | 2 | |
| 3 | Sta. Lucia Realtors | 6 | 4 | .600 [a] | 2 | |
| 4 | Formula Shell Zoom Masters | 5 | 5 | .500 [b] | 3 | |
| 5 | Purefoods Tender Juicy Hotdogs | 5 | 5 | .500 [b] | 3 | |
| 6 | Sunkist Orange Juicers | 5 | 5 | .500 [b] | 3 | |
| 7 | San Miguel Beermen | 4 | 6 | .400 | 4 | |
| 8 | Mobiline Cellulars | 1 | 9 | .100 | 7 |
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Bal David sank a three-point shot, putting the Gins on with the lead, 86–83 with 17 seconds left in the game. Richie Ticson however also made a three pointer tying the game again, 86-all with 10.5 seconds left.
After calling a timeout to design the last play, Henry James opted to try a three pointer after an inbound pass from Vince Hizon. James' shot was blocked by Benjie Paras and picked up by Kenny Redfield, making a buzzer beating three point shot, thus winning the game for them, 89–86. [2]