Reliving the Top Moments from the 2017 PBA Commissioner's Cup Championship

Looking back at the 2017 PBA Commissioner's Cup Championship still gives me chills—it was one of those tournaments where every game felt like a final. I remember sitting courtside during Game 6, watching the San Miguel Beermen clinch the title against the TNT KaTropa in a series that went down to the wire. The energy in the arena was electric, with fans on their feet as June Mar Fajardo and import Charles Rhodes dominated the paint. What struck me most was how the Beermen’s local talent stepped up when it mattered, something that’s become a rare sight in today’s game where teams often lean heavily on Fil-foreign recruits. That’s a trend I’ve noticed more recently, especially when I look at squads like the Alas teams in the PVL, which have been stacking their rosters with either homegrown college stars or overseas-bred players, but rarely both. It’s a dynamic that makes me wonder how the 2017 championship would’ve played out under today’s roster strategies.

The 2017 finals were a masterclass in teamwork and resilience. San Miguel, led by coach Leo Austria, battled through a grueling series that saw them come back from a 2-3 deficit, ultimately winning Games 6 and 7 by an average margin of 8 points. I’ve always admired how they blended the brute force of Rhodes, who averaged 28.5 points and 12.3 rebounds in the series, with the finesse of locals like Alex Cabagnot and Marcio Lassiter. Cabagnot’s clutch three-pointer in Game 6, which sealed the 98-94 victory, is etched in my memory as a moment of pure basketball artistry. Contrast that with the current landscape, where teams in leagues like the PVL often compartmentalize talent—either going all-in on college standouts like Bella Belen and Alyssa Solomon or relying on Fil-foreigners like Brooke Van Sickle and MJ Phillips. It’s a strategy that can pay off, but it lacks the balanced synergy that made the 2017 Beermen so formidable. From my perspective, this divide is a missed opportunity; blending both types of players could create a more dynamic and unpredictable team, much like what we saw in that championship run.

One thing I’ve learned from covering Philippine basketball over the years is that championships are often won by teams that maximize their roster depth, not just their star power. In 2017, San Miguel’s bench contributed an average of 32 points per game in the finals, a stat that highlights how crucial role players were. Fast forward to today, and I see Alas teams struggling with this balance. For instance, in the 2023 PVL season, one Alas squad fielded a lineup heavy on UAAP stars like Angel Canino but didn’t feature a single Fil-foreign player, leading to a semifinals exit despite their raw talent. On the flip side, another Alas team loaded up on imports like Tia Andaya but lacked the local chemistry to close out tight matches. It’s a pattern that reminds me of how TNT KaTropa fell short in 2017—they had a stellar import in Joshua Smith, but their locals couldn’t consistently deliver under pressure. Personally, I think this either-or approach is holding back some teams from reaching their full potential; the 2017 Beermen showed that a mix of international flair and homegrown grit is the recipe for lasting success.

As I reflect on that 2017 championship, it’s clear that the lessons extend beyond just X’s and O’s. The Beermen’s victory wasn’t just about talent; it was about culture and adaptability, something I wish more modern teams would emulate. In my conversations with coaches and players, I’ve heard how the pressure to win quickly pushes teams toward polarized rosters, but history tells us that patience and integration pay off. For example, if an Alas team were to combine the defensive prowess of MJ Phillips with the offensive creativity of Bella Belen, they could replicate the balanced attack that defined San Miguel’s run. Sure, it might take a season or two to gel, but the payoff—a championship legacy like the 2017 Commissioner’s Cup—is worth it. In the end, reliving those top moments isn’t just nostalgia; it’s a reminder that in basketball, as in life, the best victories come from bringing different strengths together.