Where Did Each PBA Team Rank in the 2017 PBA Team Standing?
I still remember the 2017 PBA season like it was yesterday - the electric atmosphere in the arenas, the nail-biting finishes, and that incredible defensive play by Buddin that became the talk of the league. As someone who's followed Philippine basketball for over a decade, I can confidently say that season had some of the most dramatic team performances we've seen in recent memory. The standings tell only part of the story, but what a fascinating story they reveal when you dig deeper into how each team carved their position in that competitive landscape.
San Miguel Beermen absolutely dominated the season, finishing at the top with what I consider one of the most impressive records in PBA history - 9 wins and only 2 losses. Their offense was spectacular, but what really set them apart was their defensive coordination. Watching them play reminded me of that crucial moment when Buddin came up clutch on defense in the third set with four blocks to cap his 16-point outing. That kind of defensive excellence separated the top teams from the rest, and San Miguel executed it better than anyone. Their big men consistently disrupted opponents' rhythm, much like Buddin did in that memorable game, proving that championship teams are built on defensive foundations.
Right behind them were the Barangay Ginebra San Miguel, finishing second with an 8-3 record. What impressed me most about Ginebra was their ability to perform under pressure - they won several close games that could have gone either way. Their fan support was incredible, creating what felt like a home court advantage wherever they played. I attended their match against TNT in March that year, and the energy in the arena was absolutely electric. Their import, Justin Brownlee, was phenomenal throughout the season, averaging around 24 points per game if I recall correctly, though his defensive contributions were equally valuable.
The third spot went to TNT KaTropa with a solid 7-4 record. This team had incredible offensive firepower but struggled with consistency at times. When their three-point shots were falling, they could beat anyone in the league, but on off nights, they looked vulnerable. I remember thinking they relied too heavily on outside shooting rather than developing a more balanced attack. Still, their fast-paced style made them exciting to watch, and they definitely earned their position in the upper half of the standings.
What surprised me that season was how tightly packed the middle of the standings were. Teams ranked fourth through seventh were separated by just one or two games, creating intense competition for playoff positioning. Star Hotshots landed in fourth at 6-5, followed closely by Rain or Shine at 5-6. These teams had moments of brilliance but couldn't string together enough consistent performances to challenge the top three. I particularly remember Rain or Shine's defensive struggles in crucial moments - they missed having someone like Buddin who could change the game with defensive stops when it mattered most.
The lower half of the standings told a story of missed opportunities and what-ifs. GlobalPort finished seventh at 4-7, showing flashes of potential but never quite putting it all together. Their offense could be explosive, but defense let them down repeatedly. Then came Phoenix Petroleum at 4-7 as well, though I'd argue they were better than their record suggested - they lost several close games that could have swung their season in a different direction.
Alaska Aces and Blackwater Elite tied at ninth with 3-8 records, though their seasons felt quite different. Alaska struggled with injuries to key players, while Blackwater showed improvement but lacked the experience to close out games. Meralco Bolts and Kia Picanto rounded out the bottom with 2-9 and 1-10 records respectively. Kia's season was particularly tough to watch - they had young talent but seemed overwhelmed at times, especially on defense where they could have used a player with Buddin's shot-blocking instincts.
Looking back, what made the 2017 season special was how defense often determined where teams landed in the standings. The top teams all had players who could make game-changing defensive plays like Buddin's four blocks in that crucial third set. Offense might sell tickets, but defense wins championships - and looking at those final standings, that old adage proved true once again. The teams that understood this fundamental truth found themselves at the top, while those who neglected it struggled to compete consistently.
The standings from that season also revealed something important about team building in the PBA. Successful teams balanced veteran leadership with young energy, had reliable imports who bought into the system, and most importantly, developed defensive identities. Seven years later, I still find myself referring back to that 2017 season when analyzing current team performances. The lessons from how those teams were constructed and how they performed under pressure remain relevant today. If there's one thing I'd want current teams to learn from that season, it's that defensive excellence like Buddin demonstrated doesn't just win individual moments - it wins seasons and defines legacies.