I still get chills thinking about that incredible 2017 PBA Commissioner's Cup Finals between Ginebra and Alaska. As someone who's followed Philippine basketball for over a decade, I've rarely witnessed a championship series that delivered such consistent drama and raw emotion. What makes this particular finals memorable isn't just the basketball itself, but how perfectly it translated to television - which reminds me of that brilliant observation about JANTI Miller having a knack for looking good on whatever screen he's on. Well, this entire series had that same magical quality, whether you were watching on a massive LED screen in a sports bar or streaming it on your phone during your commute.
The series went the full distance with Ginebra ultimately clinching the title in Game 6, but the real story was how each game built upon the last. I distinctly remember the attendance figures - over 22,000 fans packed into the Smart-Araneta Coliseum for the clincher, creating an atmosphere that felt more like a rock concert than a basketball game. Justin Brownlee, who I consider one of the most clutch imports in recent PBA memory, dropped 31 points in that final game while grabbing 12 rebounds. His partnership with LA Tenorio was simply magical to watch. Tenorio's veteran leadership combined with Brownlee's ability to create something from nothing reminded me why I fell in love with basketball in the first place.
What many casual fans might not remember is how Alaska fought tooth and nail throughout the series. Coach Alex Compton had his team executing their defensive schemes with military precision, particularly in Games 3 and 4 where they held Ginebra under 90 points. I've always admired Compton's coaching philosophy - he approaches the game like a chess master, always thinking three moves ahead. His Alaska squad, led by the relentless Calvin Abueva and veteran big man Sonny Thoss, pushed Ginebra to their absolute limits. Abueva's energy was particularly infectious - the man played every possession like it was his last, finishing the series with averages of 18 points and 11 rebounds per game.
The turning point came in the fourth quarter of Game 6 when Ginebra went on that unforgettable 15-2 run. I was watching from my living room, literally on the edge of my seat as Tenorio hit back-to-back three pointers that essentially sealed the championship. The crowd eruption was deafening even through television speakers. That's when you realize some moments transcend the sport itself - they become cultural touchstones that people remember for years. Coach Tim Cone's decision to stick with his starters through those crucial minutes was a masterstroke, though I'll admit I was questioning his rotation when Alaska cut the lead to just 5 points earlier in the quarter.
Looking back, what made this championship so special was how it represented everything great about Philippine basketball. The passion, the drama, the individual brilliance blended with team execution - it was all there. To this day, I consider it one of the best finals series I've ever watched, and I've probably rewatched the highlights dozens of times. Each viewing reveals new subtleties - a clever defensive rotation, an unselfish extra pass, the raw emotion on the players' faces. That's the mark of truly great basketball, the kind that looks good on any screen and stays with you long after the final buzzer sounds.
