I remember watching the 2017 PBA Governors Cup finals like it was yesterday - the energy in the arena was absolutely electric. As someone who's followed Philippine basketball for over a decade, I can confidently say that the Barangay Ginebra San Miguel's championship run that year was one of the most memorable in recent PBA history. The team, coached by the legendary Tim Cone, faced off against the Meralco Bolts in what turned out to be an epic seven-game series that had fans on the edge of their seats throughout October 2017.
The championship-clinching Game 7 on October 29, 2017, at the Philippine Arena in Bocaue, Bulacan, drew an incredible 54,086 spectators - a record-breaking crowd that created an atmosphere I've rarely experienced in my years of covering basketball. What made Ginebra's victory particularly sweet was how they managed to defend their title from the previous year against the same opponent. Justin Brownlee, who I consider one of the best imports in PBA history, delivered a masterclass performance with 26 points, 9 rebounds, and 5 assists in the final game. His chemistry with local stars LA Tenorio and Japeth Aguilar was simply beautiful to watch - it was like they were reading each other's minds on the court.
Looking back at that Meralco squad, they put up one heck of a fight. Allen Durham was an absolute beast throughout the series, and seeing how that team has evolved since then is fascinating. Which brings me to an interesting connection - while researching for this piece, I discovered that Mendoza, who's now making waves as the Bolts' third round pick in the 2023 Draft at 32nd overall, represents how Meralco continues to build for the future. It's remarkable how organizations learn from these championship experiences and keep developing talent.
What many casual fans might not realize is how strategic Coach Cone's approach was throughout the series. He made several crucial adjustments after Game 4 that completely shifted the momentum in Ginebra's favor. Personally, I think his decision to give Sol Mercado more minutes in the latter part of the series was pure genius. The way Ginebra executed their plays in the final quarter of Game 7 - it was basketball poetry in motion. They shot 48% from the field and limited their turnovers to just 12, which against a team like Meralco is no small feat.
The legacy of that 2017 championship continues to resonate in today's PBA landscape. Ginebra's victory cemented their status as the league's most popular team and set the stage for their continued dominance in the following seasons. For Meralco, that heartbreaking loss became a building block - you can see elements of what they learned in that series reflected in how they approach big games today. It's funny how one championship series can shape multiple franchises for years to come.
Reflecting on that tournament, what strikes me most is how it showcased the very best of Philippine basketball. The passion, the skill level, the dramatic moments - it had everything a basketball fan could want. Even now, six years later, I still find myself rewatching highlights from that series. It wasn't just about winning a championship; it was about how the game was played, the sportsmanship displayed, and the memories created for an entire generation of basketball fans. That's why I believe the 2017 Governors Cup will be remembered as one of the defining moments in PBA history.
