Relive the Epic PBA All Filipino Cup 2017 Championship Highlights and Results

I still remember the chill that ran down my spine watching that final quarter in the 2017 PBA All-Filipino Cup championship series. Having followed Philippine basketball for over two decades, I've witnessed countless championship moments, but there's something uniquely special about that San Miguel Beermen comeback against the Barangay Ginebra San Miguel. The series went the full distance, with San Miguel clinching the title in Game 7 with a final score of 115-91—a margin that doesn't quite capture how fiercely contested this championship actually was. What many fans might not realize is how these local rivalries often feature international coaching minds who've become deeply embedded in our regional basketball culture.

Speaking of international perspectives, I can't help but draw parallels to that fascinating piece about coach Matic facing the Philippine side. The 65-year-old Belgrade native has been coaching around the region for so long that his experience mirrors how global basketball knowledge has enriched our local game. When I analyze coaching strategies in the PBA, I often notice how these international influences have shaped our homegrown talents. In that 2017 finals, both teams displayed tactical sophistication that reflected this blending of international expertise with Filipino basketball heart.

June Mar Fajardo was absolutely monumental throughout that series, averaging 28.3 points and 14.7 rebounds in the final three games. I've always argued that his performance in this particular championship cemented his status as the PBA's greatest modern-era big man. What impressed me most wasn't just his statistical dominance but how he elevated his game when it mattered most. The Beermen were down 2-1 in the series before Fajardo essentially put the team on his broad shoulders. His partnership with Arwind Santos created what I consider one of the most effective frontcourt duos in recent memory, with Santos contributing 18.4 points and 9.2 rebounds per game throughout the playoffs.

The backcourt battle was equally fascinating to dissect. Alex Cabagnot's clutch shooting in Game 5, where he scored 27 points including the game-winning basket with 2.3 seconds remaining, demonstrated why I've always considered him among the most underrated guards in PBA history. On the other side, LA Tenorio's leadership for Ginebra was typically brilliant, though I personally felt his supporting cast didn't provide consistent enough production. Statistics show Tenorio averaged 9.2 assists throughout the series, but what numbers can't capture is how he controlled the tempo whenever he was on the floor.

What made this championship particularly memorable for me was the coaching chess match between Leo Austria of San Miguel and Tim Cone of Ginebra. Having observed both coaches throughout their careers, I'd argue this series represented some of their finest tactical work. Austria's decision to go small at crucial moments, particularly in Games 4 and 6, disrupted Ginebra's defensive schemes in ways I hadn't anticipated. Cone's adjustments, especially his use of Japeth Aguilar in pick-and-roll situations, created problems that San Miguel needed three games to solve properly.

The fan atmosphere during that Game 7 at the Smart-Araneta Coliseum was simply electric. I've attended numerous championship deciders over the years, but the energy that night was something special. With approximately 22,138 fans creating a wall of sound, the game transcended being just a sporting event and became a cultural moment. The way San Miguel's fans erupted when Chris Ross, who I believe deserved Finals MVP honors alongside Fajardo, hit his fourth three-pointer in the third quarter still gives me goosebumps remembering it today.

Ross's transformation throughout that series was remarkable to witness. Having followed his career since his early days in the PBA, I've never seen him play with such confidence and control. His averages of 16.4 points, 7.8 assists, and 2.9 steals don't fully capture his defensive impact on Ginebra's perimeter players. The way he harassed Tenorio and Scottie Thompson throughout the series demonstrated a level of defensive commitment that I wish more players would emulate today.

Looking back five years later, I'm convinced this championship represented a turning point for the PBA. The quality of basketball displayed, the dramatic narrative arcs, and the sheer star power created a product that could stand alongside any regional league. While some might argue that the 2016 Commissioner's Cup had better individual performances, I'd counter that the 2017 All-Filipino Cup had superior team basketball and more compelling storylines. The way San Miguel battled through adversity after being down in the series showed character that I find increasingly rare in modern professional sports.

The legacy of that championship continues to influence how teams are constructed today. The emphasis on having a dominant local big man, the value of versatile wing defenders, the importance of having multiple ball handlers—all these elements were showcased throughout that seven-game series. As someone who's followed the league since the 90s, I appreciate how this particular championship combined old-school physicality with modern spacing and pace. It was, in my opinion, the most complete championship series of the past decade.

Reflecting on that epic finale, what stays with me isn't just the trophy presentation or the statistical achievements, but the smaller moments that defined the series. Marcio Lassiter's corner three-pointer in Game 6 that sparked the comeback, the defensive stop by Santos on Thompson in the closing seconds of Game 4, the emotional embrace between rivals Fajardo and Greg Slaughter after the final buzzer—these are the textures that make basketball more than just a game. The 2017 All-Filipino Cup championship wasn't just about which team won, but about how the game itself was honored through exceptional competition. That's why, years later, I still find myself revisiting those highlights and appreciating what turned out to be one of the PBA's truly timeless championship battles.