As I sit down to reflect on the PBA 2016-17 season, I can't help but marvel at how this particular year stands out in my memory. I've followed the Philippine Basketball Association for over a decade now, and there's something special about this season that keeps drawing me back to rewatch highlights and analyze statistics. The preseason tournament alone gave us plenty to talk about, especially with one team making waves right from the start. Let me walk you through what made this season so memorable, starting with that incredible preseason performance that set the tone for everything that followed.
What immediately comes to mind when I think about the preseason is the absolute dominance of the High Speed Hitters. In my years of covering basketball, I've rarely seen a team maintain such perfect form right out of the gate. They managed to secure four consecutive victories without a single loss, finishing the preseason tournament at 4-0. That's no small feat when you consider they were up against other professional teams who were equally determined to start their season strong. I remember watching their third game against the veteran-heavy squad, where they were down by 12 points going into the fourth quarter. Most teams would have folded under that pressure, but the High Speed Hitters mounted what I still consider one of the most impressive comebacks I've witnessed, outscoring their opponents 28-9 in the final period. Their defensive coordination during those crucial minutes was simply breathtaking.
The High Speed Hitters' success wasn't just about one or two star players carrying the team, which is what makes their achievement so remarkable in my opinion. Their roster depth was extraordinary, with at least eight players averaging double-digit minutes throughout the preseason. Their bench contributed an average of 38.5 points per game during those four wins, which tells you everything about their team-first approach. I particularly admired how their coaching staff managed player rotations, never relying too heavily on any single player while maintaining offensive fluidity. Their ball movement statistics were off the charts, averaging 24.7 assists per game compared to the league preseason average of just 18.3. When you watch teams that share the ball that effectively, it's pure basketball poetry in motion.
While the High Speed Hitters dominated the preseason conversation, the regular season brought its own share of spectacular moments and record-breaking performances that deserve equal attention. June Mar Fajardo continued to build his legacy, putting up what I believe were MVP-caliber numbers with averages of 18.3 points and 12.7 rebounds per game. His consistency throughout the season was something to behold, especially considering he played through what later turned out to be a minor knee injury during the mid-season. Then there was the emergence of young talents like Matthew Wright, who surprised everyone by averaging 16.8 points in his rookie season while shooting an impressive 42% from beyond the arc. I had the privilege of watching his 35-point explosion against one of the league's best defensive teams, a performance that announced his arrival in the PBA in the most spectacular fashion possible.
The 2016-17 season also gave us some incredible team accomplishments beyond the High Speed Hitters' preseason run. San Miguel Beer's championship victory in the Philippine Cup marked their third consecutive title in that tournament, a testament to their sustained excellence that I don't think gets enough recognition. Their Game 7 victory in the finals was particularly memorable, decided by just three points in what became the highest-rated basketball broadcast that year with approximately 4.7 million viewers tuning in. The Commissioner's Cup provided its own drama, with the underdog team making a surprising run to the finals before falling just short. What I found most impressive was how attendance figures broke previous records, with the season averaging around 12,450 spectators per game, up nearly 8% from the previous year.
As we look back at the statistical achievements, several records from that season still stand today. Aside from the High Speed Hitters' perfect preseason, we witnessed individual milestones that may not be broken for years to come. One that particularly stands out in my memory is the single-game three-point record set at 11 made threes, a feat accomplished during a crucial elimination game. The league-wide scoring average reached 98.7 points per game, the highest in seven seasons, indicating a shift toward more offensive-minded basketball that I personally found refreshing. Defensive excellence wasn't forgotten though, with teams combining for what I calculated as approximately 14.3 steals and 5.2 blocks per game, showing that balanced basketball was still very much alive.
What made this season truly special in my view was how it balanced established superstars with emerging talent, creating storylines that captivated both casual fans and basketball purists like myself. The High Speed Hitters' preseason dominance served as a perfect preview of the competitive intensity we'd see throughout the year. While they couldn't maintain that perfect record in the regular season, finishing with what I recall was 28 wins against 14 losses, their early success set a standard that other teams had to match. The level of competition across the league reached what I consider its highest point in recent memory, with seven of the twelve teams finishing with winning records and the difference between the fourth and eighth seeds coming down to just two games.
Reflecting on the PBA's 2016-17 season as a whole, I'm struck by how it represented a turning point for Philippine basketball. The High Speed Hitters' unforgettable preseason performance was just the beginning of a year filled with exceptional basketball, record-breaking achievements, and memorable moments that we still discuss today. While I have my personal favorites from that season, what's undeniable is the overall quality of play and the passion that teams brought to the court night after night. The records set that year, both team and individual, continue to inspire current players while giving longtime fans like myself cherished memories to revisit. If you ever find yourself wanting to understand modern PBA basketball at its best, the 2016-17 season provides the perfect case study of excellence, drama, and pure basketball brilliance.
