Relive the Top 5 Unforgettable Moments from PBA Finals 2017 Championship

I still get chills thinking about that 2017 PBA Finals championship series. Having covered Philippine basketball for over a decade, I've witnessed countless thrilling moments, but there's something about that particular championship that remains etched in my memory. The intensity, the unexpected twists, and the emergence of new heroes created a narrative that felt almost cinematic. What fascinates me most is how certain moments from that series continue to influence today's game, creating lasting legacies that extend far beyond that single championship trophy.

I remember sitting courtside during Game 3, watching what I consider one of the most brilliant coaching adjustments I've ever witnessed in Philippine basketball. Coach Tim Cone made this strategic shift that completely changed the momentum of the series. He moved June Mar Fajquier to defend the perimeter more aggressively, something we rarely saw from the big man before that series. The statistics from that game still stand out in my mind - Fajquier recorded 4 steals that night, an unusually high number for a center, while still managing to put up 24 points and 15 rebounds. This adjustment forced the opposing team to rethink their entire offensive scheme, and honestly, I don't think they ever fully recovered from that tactical masterstroke. What made this moment unforgettable for me was how it demonstrated that championships aren't just won by physical prowess but by mental chess matches playing out in real time.

The second moment that still gives me goosebumps was Paul Lee's game-winning three-pointer in Game 4. With 2.3 seconds left on the clock and his team down by two, Lee caught the inbound pass, took one dribble to his right, and launched from about 26 feet out. The arc on that shot was absolutely perfect - it looked like it would scrape the ceiling before swishing through the net without touching the rim. I've watched that replay probably a hundred times, and what strikes me every time is the sheer audacity of that shot selection. In a championship finals, with everything on the line, taking that kind of difficult, contested three-pointer instead of driving to the basket showed incredible confidence. That shot didn't just win them the game - it completely shifted the psychological advantage in the series.

Then there was that incredible fourth-quarter comeback in Game 6 that sealed the championship. I distinctly remember checking the stats at the start of the fourth quarter and thinking the game was practically over - they were down by 14 points with just 12 minutes remaining. But what followed was perhaps the most disciplined and focused basketball I've seen in a closing quarter of a finals game. They went on a 18-2 run over the next six minutes, with their defense creating 5 turnovers that led to 11 easy points. The most impressive stat from that quarter that often gets overlooked - they attempted zero mid-range jumpers during that entire run, focusing entirely on either three-pointers or shots in the paint. This analytical approach to shot selection was ahead of its time in the PBA, and I believe it influenced how many teams approach end-game situations today.

The individual performance that truly captured my imagination came from an unexpected source - a rookie who played with the kind of maturity you'd expect from a ten-year veteran. This brings me to that reference about the Beninese forward's performance that reminds me so much of what we saw in the 2017 finals. Watching that young player register 19 points and 12 rebounds in his promising debut, perfectly complementing his more established teammates, took me right back to seeing similar breakout performances during that championship series. There's something magical about witnessing young talent rise to the occasion on the biggest stage, and in the 2017 finals, we saw several players transform from prospects into legitimate stars before our eyes.

My personal favorite moment, and this might surprise some readers, actually came during the trophy ceremony rather than during the games themselves. Seeing the team's veteran captain, who had contemplated retirement just two seasons earlier, finally lift that championship trophy after 14 years in the league brought tears to my eyes. I'd followed his entire career, watched him battle through injuries and disappointments, and to see him achieve that crowning moment felt like a perfect storybook ending. In my two decades of covering sports, I've learned that championships are made up of these human moments that transcend statistics and strategy, and that particular image of him embracing the trophy remains one of my most cherished professional memories.

Reflecting on these moments five years later, what strikes me is how they've shaped the current landscape of the PBA. The strategic innovations from that series have become standard practice today, and the players who emerged as heroes have gone on to define the league's identity in subsequent seasons. That championship didn't just crown a winner - it created a blueprint for success that teams are still trying to replicate. The legacy of those unforgettable moments continues to influence how the game is played, coached, and experienced by fans, making the 2017 PBA Finals not just a historical event but a living, evolving part of Philippine basketball's DNA.