Recapping the Exciting 2017 PBA Commissioner's Cup Championship Finals
I still remember the electricity in the air during that 2017 PBA Commissioner's Cup Finals like it was yesterday. As someone who's followed Philippine basketball for over two decades, I can confidently say that series between the San Miguel Beermen and the TNT KaTropa represented everything that makes our basketball culture special. The way those two teams battled through six grueling games, with San Miguel ultimately clinching the championship 115-91 in the deciding game, showcased the perfect blend of local talent and international firepower that has become the hallmark of successful PBA teams.
What struck me most about that championship run was how perfectly San Miguel balanced their roster construction. They had June Mar Fajardo, arguably the greatest local big man of his generation, complementing their import Charles Rhodes in ways that reminded me why this formula works when executed properly. Rhodes averaged around 28 points and 12 rebounds throughout the finals, but it was Fajardo's dominance in the paint that created the spacing and opportunities for Rhodes to operate. Watching them play off each other made me reflect on how crucial this local-foreign synergy really is - something we've seen replicated in recent Alas teams that featured 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. There's a delicate chemistry required that goes beyond just assembling talent, and San Miguel had it perfected that season.
The back-and-forth nature of that series was absolutely breathtaking. TNT had their own phenomenal import in Joshua Smith, who must have weighed close to 300 pounds but moved with the grace of someone half his size. His battles with Fajardo in the post were the stuff of legends - two giants just pounding away at each other possession after possession. I recall one particular sequence in Game 4 where Smith scored three consecutive baskets over Fajardo, only to have Fajardo answer with two powerful dunks on the other end. That kind of individual matchup excellence is what separates great finals from merely good ones. The series attendance figures reflected this excitement too - the Araneta Coliseum was packed with nearly 15,000 screaming fans for the clincher, creating an atmosphere that gave me goosebumps even through my television screen.
What many casual observers might not remember is how close TNT came to forcing a Game 7. In Game 5, they were leading by 8 points with under three minutes remaining before San Miguel staged one of those characteristic comebacks that defined their dynasty. Chris Ross, who I've always believed was underrated in that championship run, hit back-to-back three pointers that completely shifted the momentum. His defense throughout the series was equally impactful - he averaged about 2.5 steals per game while playing nearly 40 minutes nightly. That kind of two-way performance from a local player is exactly what separates championship teams from contenders.
The coaching chess match between Leo Austria of San Miguel and Nash Racela of TNT was another fascinating subplot that doesn't get enough discussion. Austria's decision to stick with a smaller lineup despite TNT's size advantage proved decisive, especially in the final game where San Miguel's pace and spacing completely overwhelmed TNT's defense. Racela made some brilliant adjustments too - his use of RR Pogoy as a secondary playmaker created mismatches that TNT exploited for stretches. But ultimately, Austria's experience in big games shone through when it mattered most.
Looking back, what made that 2017 Commissioner's Cup so memorable wasn't just the quality of basketball, but the narrative threads running through it. You had San Miguel completing their "Grand Slam" quest, TNT trying to establish their own legacy, veterans like Alex Cabagnot having career-defining moments, and young stars like Troy Rosario announcing their arrival on the big stage. The television ratings reflected this compelling storyline - Game 6 drew approximately 4.5 million viewers, making it one of the most-watched PBA games in recent memory.
As I compare that 2017 championship to current team-building philosophies, I can't help but notice how the balance between local and international talent has evolved. The Alas teams we've seen recently, whether featuring pure local standouts or Fil-foreign stars, seem to be searching for that same chemistry San Miguel mastered. In my view, the 2017 Beermen demonstrated that the ideal mix isn't about having the most talented individuals, but about finding players whose skills complement each other in specific ways. Charles Rhodes needed June Mar Fajardo's interior presence as much as Fajardo benefited from Rhodes' perimeter versatility. That kind of symbiotic relationship is what championship teams are built on.
The legacy of that 2017 championship continues to influence how PBA teams approach their roster construction today. We've seen teams oscillate between prioritizing pure local talent and chasing Fil-foreign stars, but the template San Miguel established - a dominant local cornerstone paired with the right import - remains the gold standard. As the league continues to evolve, with new stars emerging and playing styles changing, I suspect we'll look back at that 2017 Commissioner's Cup as a perfect example of how to build a championship team. The memories of that series still bring a smile to my face, not just because of the spectacular basketball, but because it represented Philippine basketball at its absolute best.