A Look Back at the Exciting 2017-18 PBA Season Highlights and Records
Looking back at the 2017-18 PBA season still gives me chills—it was one of those rare campaigns where every conference felt like its own dramatic saga, packed with breakout performances, nail-biting finishes, and a few surprises that reshaped team dynamics for years to come. As someone who’s followed the league closely both as a fan and an analyst, I can confidently say that season had a little bit of everything: historic individual records, unforgettable team rivalries, and moments that reminded us why Philippine basketball holds such a special place in fans’ hearts. I remember thinking midway through the season that we were witnessing something special—the kind of year people would reference for a long time, whether in debates about the greatest imports or when discussing how local stars stepped up under pressure.
One of the most compelling storylines, in my view, was how Barangay Ginebra navigated their roster challenges, especially in the frontcourt. The departure of Christian Standhardinger—who had been a vital piece—and Isaac Go’s unfortunate injury after his arrival via trade with Terrafirma left noticeable gaps in their frontline rotation. Watching them compete, it became clear that while their guards and wing players brought energy and scoring, the interior often looked thin against physical opponents like San Miguel and Magnolia. I recall a particular game against the Beermen where June Mar Fajardo seemed to dominate the paint almost at will, and that’s when it hit me: Ginebra’s management would need to address their big man situation sooner rather than later. It wasn’t just about rebounds or rim protection—their half-court sets sometimes lacked the versatility that a reliable, mobile big could provide. Still, credit to Coach Tim Cone for making adjustments and squeezing every bit of effort from role players, but if you ask me, that season exposed a vulnerability they’d have to fix to stay in championship contention.
On the individual front, the 2017-18 season saw some jaw-dropping numbers. Stanley Pringle, for instance, averaged around 18.5 points and 4.5 assists per game in the Commissioner’s Cup, carrying GlobalPort (now NorthPort) in ways that solidified his reputation as one of the league’s premier guards. Then there was Justin Brownlee—oh, what a treat he was to watch. Brownlee’s clutch genes were on full display, especially during the Governors’ Cup where he put up roughly 26 points and 11 rebounds a night. I still remember his game-winning shot against San Miguel in the finals—a moment that sent the Ginebra faithful into absolute pandemonium. On the other side, June Mar Fajardo continued his reign, posting averages of about 16.8 points and 12.2 rebounds in the Philippine Cup, reminding everyone why he’s a multi-time MVP. Those stats aren’t just numbers—they tell the story of players who elevated their games when it mattered most.
Team narratives unfolded in unexpected ways, too. San Miguel’s Philippine Cup three-peat was historic, no doubt, but what stood out to me was how teams like Magnolia (then known as Star) and Alaska reinvented themselves. Magnolia’s defensive discipline under Coach Chito Victolero was a thing of beauty—they held opponents to under 90 points in something like 12 games that season, a testament to their system and hustle. Alaska, meanwhile, leaned on their young core and the leadership of veterans like Vic Manuel, who averaged close to 15 points per game. I have to admit, I didn’t expect the Aces to make such a deep run in the Commissioner’s Cup, but their teamwork and speed made them a tough out. And let’s not forget the rise of TNT’s Jayson Castro, who, even in his early 30s, showed why he’s called “The Blur”—dicing defenses and hitting big shots as if time stood still.
The imports that year added another layer of excitement. From Brownlee’s heroics to the likes of Renaldo Balkman and Mike Harris putting up monster numbers, the league felt more competitive than ever. Balkman, in particular, was a force for San Miguel in the Commissioner’s Cup, averaging something like 28 points and 12 rebounds—though his fiery demeanor sometimes got him into trouble. I’ll never forget that game where he nearly sparked a brawl; it was intense, maybe too much so, but it showed how much passion these guys brought. On the flip side, Harris was a model of consistency for Phoenix, dropping 25 and 15 on some nights and almost single-handedly carrying the Fuel Masters to the playoffs. As a fan, I loved the diversity of styles—some imports were scorers, others were defenders, and a few, like Brownlee, did it all.
When I reflect on the season’s legacy, it’s impossible to ignore how it set the stage for future shifts in the PBA landscape. Ginebra’s frontline issues, for example, highlighted the importance of depth and health in a compressed schedule—a lesson other teams took to heart. The emergence of young locals like CJ Perez and Robert Bolick also signaled a changing of the guard, injecting new energy into the league. Personally, I believe the 2017-18 season was a turning point in terms of pace and space; more teams embraced the three-point shot, with squads like Rain or Shine attempting over 30 per game, a noticeable jump from previous years. And let’s be real—the fan engagement was through the roof, both in arenas and online, proving that when the product is exciting, the audience will follow.
In the end, the 2017-18 PBA season was a rollercoaster of emotions and milestones. From Ginebra’s resilient but flawed campaign to the individual brilliance of stars and the strategic battles between coaches, it offered a masterclass in what makes basketball in the Philippines so unique. As we look back, it’s clear that this season wasn’t just about records or trophies—it was about stories, both told and untold, that continue to influence the league today. And for someone like me, who lives and breathes hoops, it’s a chapter I’ll always revisit with a smile and a sense of wonder.
