PBA 2017-2018 Season Highlights: Key Players and Memorable Moments

I still remember the buzz surrounding the 2017-2018 PBA season—it felt like something special was brewing right from the opening tip-off. As someone who’s followed Philippine basketball for years, I’ve seen seasons come and go, but this one had a unique energy, partly because of the mix of veteran comebacks and emerging young talents. What stood out to me, beyond the stats and the standings, were the stories—the kind that remind you why sports can be so compelling. One moment that really stuck with me was watching TNT KaTropa’s veteran guard, Jimmy Alapag, return to action during the playoffs after what felt like an eternity on the sidelines. The team’s coaching staff, particularly coach Jong Uichico, echoed what many of us felt: his comeback wasn’t just timely; it was inspirational. I recall reading a quote from team manager Jojo Lastimosa that captured it perfectly: "Management is extremely happy about how he came out despite having not played a long time and getting into battle in the playoffs with no time to work himself slowly back." That statement resonated because it wasn’t just about basketball—it was about heart, and Alapag’s return set the tone for a season full of surprises.

The season’s narrative, in my view, was shaped by key players who stepped up when it mattered most. June Mar Fajardo, for instance, continued to dominate the paint with what seemed like effortless consistency. He averaged around 18.5 points and 12 rebounds per game in the Philippine Cup, numbers that, while impressive, don’t fully capture how he anchored San Miguel’s defense. But what I loved even more was watching young guns like Matthew Wright of Phoenix Fuel Masters break out—his clutch shooting in the Governors’ Cup, including a 30-point explosion against Ginebra, showed that the league’s future was in good hands. On the other hand, teams like Barangay Ginebra brought their signature never-say-die spirit, with LA Tenorio orchestrating plays that felt like chess moves. I’ve always been partial to teams that blend experience with youth, and Ginebra’s run to the Commissioner’s Cup finals, fueled by Justin Brownlee’s 28-point average, was a masterclass in that balance. It’s moments like their Game 7 win over San Miguel—a nail-biter that went down to the wire—that make me think this season might be one of the most memorable in recent history.

Of course, no discussion of the 2017-2018 season would be complete without touching on the playoffs, where drama unfolded in ways that even scriptwriters might envy. Take the semifinal clash between TNT and Rain or Shine—it went the distance, with Jayson Castro dropping 25 points in the decider, a performance that solidified his status as one of the league’s elite point guards. But what struck me was how teams adapted under pressure. For instance, Magnolia’s defensive schemes in the Governors’ Cup, which held opponents to under 90 points in multiple games, showcased a level of tactical depth that I wish we saw more often in the league. As a fan, I’ll admit I was pulling for the underdogs, like the Cinderella run by the NLEX Road Warriors, who upset top-seeded teams with Paul Harris averaging a double-double. Their journey reminded me that in the PBA, anything can happen—a truth that makes following the league so rewarding.

Reflecting on it all, the 2017-2018 season wasn’t just about championships or individual accolades; it was a testament to resilience and the human side of the game. Alapag’s comeback, which Lastimosa highlighted, symbolizes that—it’s about players defying odds and management betting on heart over mere statistics. In my experience covering basketball, seasons like this don’t come around often, and they leave a lasting imprint on fans and the sport’s legacy. As we look back, I’d argue this era set a benchmark for how passion and professionalism can coexist, making it a must-remember chapter in PBA history.