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I still remember the 2017 PBA season like it was yesterday—the electric atmosphere in the arenas, the nail-biting finishes, and that constant checking of standings that had us all obsessed. As someone who's followed Philippine basketball for over a decade, I've learned that the standings tell more than just numbers—they reveal team chemistry, coaching strategies, and those pivotal moments that define entire seasons. Let me walk you through where each team landed that year and share some insights you won't find in official records.

The San Miguel Beermen absolutely dominated the Philippine Cup that year, and honestly, they deserved every bit of that top spot. With June Mar Fajounter averaging a monstrous 18.3 points and 13.9 rebounds, they were practically unstoppable in the paint. What impressed me most wasn't just their star power though—it was their bench depth that really sealed the deal. Teams like Barangay Ginebra put up a valiant fight, finishing strong in the Commissioner's Cup, but San Miguel had this relentless energy that just wore opponents down. I've always believed championship teams need both talent and endurance, and San Miguel demonstrated that perfectly throughout 2017.

Speaking of thrilling comebacks, the Red Lions provided one of the most memorable moments I've witnessed in secondary tournaments. I was courtside when they found themselves down 13 points early in that crucial game, sitting at 10-23 after the opening salvo. The atmosphere was tense, but then something magical happened. The Red Lions regrouped spectacularly behind Jomel Puno, Janti Miller, and Zed Etulle who all wound up with 14 points each. Miller's defensive intensity completely changed the game's momentum, while Etulle's three-pointer at the 2:34 mark in the third quarter became the turning point. Puno's leadership during that comeback was textbook material—I still use it as an example when explaining how veteran presence can stabilize a struggling team.

The middle of the pack told its own fascinating story. Teams like Rain or Shine and Alaska finished with respectable 7-4 records, but their paths couldn't have been more different. Rain or Shine had this explosive offense that could put up 95+ points on any given night, while Alaska relied on defensive discipline that limited opponents to under 80 points in six different games. From my perspective, Alaska's approach was more sustainable—defense wins championships, as the old saying goes—but Rain or Shine's games were undoubtedly more entertaining to watch. The GlobalPort Batang Pier surprised everyone by finishing fifth in the Commissioner's Cup with what I considered the most improved backcourt in the league.

Looking back, what made the 2017 standings particularly interesting was how they reflected the league's evolving strategies. The top three teams all shared one common trait: exceptional three-point shooting percentages above 34%. Meanwhile, the bottom four teams averaged below 28% from beyond the arc. The numbers don't lie—the league was clearly shifting toward perimeter-oriented basketball, though I've always maintained that balanced teams with strong inside presence tend to have more consistent season performances. The 2017 season proved this beautifully, with San Miguel's inside-out game serving as the blueprint for success.

The final standings that year taught me that early season struggles don't necessarily define a team's fate. Several squads that started poorly managed to climb significantly by season's end through smart mid-season adjustments and player development. While the championship teams rightly get most of the attention, I've always found the middle-tier teams more fascinating—their constant battling for playoff positioning often produces the most dramatic basketball. The 2017 PBA season remains one of my favorites to analyze because it perfectly balanced established superstars with emerging talents, creating a standings race that kept us all guessing until the final buzzer.