Looking Back at the 2017 PBA Commissioner's Cup Champions and Key Highlights
I still remember the electric atmosphere during that 2017 PBA Commissioner's Cup finals like it was yesterday. The tension in the arena was so thick you could practically taste it, and honestly, I haven't felt that same intensity in Philippine basketball since. Looking back at the 2017 PBA Commissioner's Cup champions and key highlights feels like revisiting a golden era of basketball that set standards we're still measuring current teams against today.
The San Miguel Beermen's championship run that year was nothing short of spectacular. They finished the elimination round with an impressive 9-2 record, but what really stood out to me was how they turned things around when it mattered most. I've covered Philippine basketball for over fifteen years now, and I can tell you that championship teams have a certain DNA - they know how to flip the switch during crucial moments, and San Miguel had that in spades. Their import, Charles Rhodes, was an absolute beast on both ends of the court, averaging 28.7 points and 12.3 rebounds throughout the conference. But what made them truly special was how well their local talent complemented their import. June Mar Fajardo was, well, June Mar Fajardo - dominating the paint like only he can, while Chris Ross emerged as the Finals MVP with his incredible two-way performance.
What strikes me about that 2017 championship team is how perfectly balanced they were between star power and cohesive team play. This balance reminds me of the current situation in women's volleyball that we're seeing with recent Alas teams. These squads have featured incredible college standouts like Bella Belen, Angel Canino, and Alyssa Solomon but didn't feature Fil-foreign stars like Brooke Van Sickle, MJ Phillips, or Tia Andaya and vice versa. It's the same kind of strategic team-building we saw with San Miguel - they knew exactly what pieces they needed and how to make them fit together seamlessly.
The finals series against TNT KaTropa went the full seven games, and man, what a series it was. Game 7 was particularly memorable - San Miguel winning 115-91 in what turned out to be a masterclass in championship basketball. I was sitting courtside for that game, and the way San Miguel executed their game plan was just beautiful to watch. They shot 54% from the field, dished out 28 assists, and completely dominated the rebounding battle 52-38. Those numbers don't even do justice to how completely they controlled that game from start to finish. TNT had talent - Jayson Castro was phenomenal throughout the series - but San Miguel just had that championship mentality that you can't really teach.
What I find fascinating, and honestly a bit disappointing about today's basketball landscape, is that we rarely see teams built with that same strategic vision anymore. Teams either stack up on flashy imports or rely entirely on local talent without finding that sweet spot in between. The 2017 San Miguel team showed us that the magic happens when you have the right mix of international quality and homegrown talent working in perfect harmony. This approach is exactly what some volleyball teams are missing today - either loading up entirely on Fil-foreign players or sticking only with local standouts without finding that optimal balance.
I spoke with coach Leo Austria after that championship win, and he told me something that's stuck with me ever since. He said championship teams aren't just collections of talented individuals - they're ecosystems where each player understands their role and excels within it. Chris Ross, for instance, transformed from being primarily a defensive specialist to becoming a legitimate offensive threat while maintaining his defensive intensity. That kind of player development is what separates good teams from championship teams. Arwind Santos, though not putting up huge numbers, made crucial plays when they mattered most. Alex Cabagnot provided that veteran leadership and clutch shooting. Every piece had its purpose.
The legacy of that 2017 championship extends beyond just another trophy in San Miguel's already crowded cabinet. It set a benchmark for how PBA teams should be constructed and how championship basketball should be played. As I watch current teams struggle to find their identity, I can't help but think back to that San Miguel squad and how they just knew who they were and how they wanted to play. They were tough, disciplined, and played with a certain swagger that said "we know we're the best, now try to beat us."
In my opinion, that 2017 Commissioner's Cup was one of the last truly great PBA conferences we've had. The quality of basketball, the competitive balance, the dramatic storylines - it had everything a basketball fan could want. Today's teams could learn a lot from studying how San Miguel built that championship roster and how they performed under pressure. The current trend of either going all-in on imports or relying solely on local talent just isn't producing the same quality of basketball we witnessed back in 2017. There's something to be said about finding that perfect balance, and honestly, I'm not sure we've seen it replicated since that memorable championship run.