I still remember the excitement buzzing through the Philippine basketball community back in 2017 - it was like the entire country was holding its breath waiting for the PBA season to unfold. As someone who's followed both basketball and volleyball closely, I couldn't help but notice how Miguel's heartfelt message to Bel about leaving a legacy with the NU women's volleyball team perfectly captured what makes Philippine sports so special. That same passion and dedication we see in volleyball absolutely translates to the hardcourt, and the 2017 PBA schedule was packed with opportunities for players to create their own unforgettable moments.
The season kicked off with the Philippine Cup on January 15th, and let me tell you, the energy at the Smart Araneta Coliseum was absolutely electric. I made it to three opening week games, and what struck me most was how every team came out swinging - it felt like they'd all taken that "leave a legacy" mentality to heart. The Governors' Cup followed from August to October, and personally, I think this was where we saw the most dramatic basketball of the year. I'll never forget that nail-biter between Ginebra and San Miguel on September 17th - the crowd was on their feet for the entire fourth quarter, and you could just feel that whoever won would be talking about that game for years to come.
What made the 2017 schedule particularly interesting was how they spaced out the Commissioner's Cup between February and June, giving teams just enough time to recover and strategize between tournaments. I remember chatting with fellow fans at a mid-season game about how this scheduling really tested each team's depth and resilience - much like how Bel had to constantly adapt and lead her volleyball team through different challenges. The league scheduled approximately 150 games across all three conferences, though if I'm being completely honest, I lost count after attending my 23rd live game. There's something magical about witnessing basketball history in the making, whether it's at the MOA Arena or watching from home with friends.
Looking back, what made the 2017 season truly special wasn't just the games themselves, but how they brought communities together. I'd often see entire families at matches, with parents explaining plays to wide-eyed kids, and groups of friends debating player statistics over beers during timeouts. That communal spirit reminds me so much of Miguel's words about the volleyball community - how sports create these beautiful connections that last long after the final buzzer sounds. The season wrapped up in December, but the memories from those games? Those are still fresh in my mind, much like the legacy Bel left with her team.
