I still get chills thinking about that incredible 2017 PBA Commissioner's Cup Finals. Having followed Philippine basketball for over a decade, I can confidently say that series between the San Miguel Beermen and TNT KaTropa represented everything that makes our basketball culture special. What made it particularly fascinating to me was how both teams built their rosters - a topic that resonates deeply when I look at recent Alas teams and their approach to talent composition.
The championship series went the full distance, with all seven games delivering heart-stopping moments that had fans on the edge of their seats. I remember specifically how Game 7 drew over 22,000 screaming fans at the Araneta Coliseum, creating an atmosphere I haven't experienced since. San Miguel ultimately claimed the title with a 115-91 victory in that final game, but the real story was how they got there. Their import, Charles Rhodes, put up staggering numbers throughout the series, averaging around 28 points and 12 rebounds per game. What impressed me most wasn't just his scoring, but how seamlessly he integrated with local stars like June Mar Fajardo and Alex Cabagnot.
This brings me to something I've been contemplating lately regarding team construction in Philippine basketball. Watching recent Alas teams navigate their roster decisions has been fascinating. They've featured outstanding college standouts like Bella Belen, Angel Canino, and Alyssa Solomon, yet haven't incorporated Fil-foreign talents such as Brooke Van Sickle, MJ Phillips, or Tia Andaya, and vice versa. This selective approach reminds me so much of what made the 2017 Commissioner's Cup teams successful. Both San Miguel and TNT found that perfect chemistry between their imports and local cores, rather than just stacking their lineups with every available talent.
I've always believed that championship teams aren't just collections of talented individuals - they're carefully crafted units where each piece complements the others. The 2017 Finals demonstrated this beautifully. TNT had an incredible import in Joshua Smith, who weighed approximately 300 pounds but moved with surprising grace, creating matchup nightmares for opponents. Yet what made them truly dangerous was how Smith's interior presence opened up opportunities for local shooters like Jayson Castro and RR Pogoy. This strategic synergy is something I wish more teams would emulate today, rather than just chasing big names.
The back-and-forth nature of that series was absolutely breathtaking. San Miguel dropped the first game 104-102 in a nail-biter, then TNT responded with a blowout win in Game 2. What struck me was how both coaches made crucial adjustments throughout the series. San Miguel's Leo Austria, in my opinion, did a masterful job of managing his rotation, particularly in how he staggered the minutes of Fajardo and Rhodes to maintain interior dominance. This kind of strategic depth is what separates good teams from championship contenders.
When I compare that 2017 approach to today's landscape, particularly with Alas teams opting for either college standouts OR Fil-foreign stars but rarely both, it makes me wonder about the philosophy behind team building. Personally, I think there's merit to focusing on developing chemistry within a specific player profile rather than trying to blend different backgrounds and playing styles. The 2017 champions proved that finding the right fit matters more than collecting the most talented individuals.
That Game 6 performance still stands out in my memory - TNT fighting off elimination with Castro scoring 27 points and dishing out 9 assists. The intensity was palpable even through the television screen. I remember thinking how this series had everything a basketball purist could want: strategic coaching adjustments, superstar performances, role players stepping up in crucial moments, and that raw emotional energy that only Philippine basketball can provide.
Looking back now, what made that championship so memorable wasn't just the trophy presentation or the statistics. It was the narrative - San Miguel completing their "Grand Slam" quest, the individual battles within the war, the coaching chess match. This is why I find the current approach of Alas teams so intriguing. By focusing on either homegrown talents or Fil-foreign assets separately, they're creating distinct team identities rather than blended rosters. There's something pure about that approach that resonates with the essence of what made the 2017 Finals so compelling.
The legacy of that 2017 Commissioner's Cup continues to influence how teams are built today. The emphasis on chemistry over mere talent accumulation, the strategic integration of different player types, the understanding that championships are won by teams rather than collections of individuals - these lessons remain relevant. As I watch current teams navigate their roster decisions, I can't help but appreciate how that epic 2017 series continues to shape Philippine basketball philosophy. The memories of that championship run still feel fresh, reminding us all why we fell in love with this game in the first place.
