1997 PBA season
| 1997 PBA season | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Duration | February 16, 1997 – December 14, 1997 |
| Number of teams | 8 |
| TV partner(s) | Vintage Sports (IBC) |
| 1997 PBA Draft | |
| Top draft pick | Andy Seigle |
| Picked by | Mobiline Cellulars |
| Season MVP | Alvin Patrimonio |
| All-Filipino Cup champions | Purefoods Corned Beef |
| All-Filipino Cup runners-up | Gordon's Gin |
| Commissioner's Cup champions | Gordon's Gin Boars |
| Commissioner's Cup runners-up | Alaska Milkmen |
| Governors Cup champions | Alaska Milkmen |
| Governors Cup runners-up | Purefoods Carne Norte |
The 1997 PBA season was the 23rd season of the Philippine Basketball Association (PBA).
Season highlights
For the first time in league history, the top two picks of the Annual Rookie draft were born outside the Philippines, 6-9 Andrew John Seigle, a discovery of coach Tommy Manotoc, and Nic Belasco were selected at numbers one and two, respectively.
Former national coach Ron Jacobs returned to the bench as the new head coach of San Miguel Beer, replacing Norman Black, who resigned and moved over to the Mobiline franchise.
Purefoods Corned Beef Cowboys and Gordon's Gin Boars (formerly Ginebra) played in the All-Filipino Cup finals, only the second time the two rivals meet in a championship series, Gordon's playing coach Sonny Jaworski became the oldest player to play in a PBA finals series at age 51. Purefoods rookie coach Eric Altamirano won his first title as a head mentor.
Gordon's Gin Boars finally ended a six-year title drought for the La Tondeña franchise by winning the Commissioner's Cup title over defending champion, Alaska Milk.
Alaska Milk retains the Governor's Cup title for the fourth straight time, and defended the only crown left in their grandslam conquest last season. Alaska overtakes the defunct Presto franchise as the fourth winningest ballclub in the PBA.
Alvin Patrimonio won his fourth MVP award, tying El Presidente, Ramon Fernandez for the most number of the league's highest honors.
Champions
- All-Filipino Cup: Purefoods Corned Beef Cowboys
- Commissioner's Cup: Gordon's Gin Boars
- Governor's Cup: Alaska Milkmen
- Team with best win-loss percentage: Alaska Milk (35-25, .583)
Individual awards
- Most Valuable Player: Alvin Patrimonio (Purefoods)
- Rookie of the Year: Andrew John Seigle (Mobiline)
- Sportsmanship Award: Freddie Abuda (San Miguel)
- Most Improved Player: Bong Ravena (Purefoods)
- Defensive Player of the Year: Freddie Abuda (San Miguel)
- Mythical Five:
- Johnny Abarrientos (Alaska)
- Alvin Patrimonio (Purefoods)
- Marlou Aquino (Gordon's Gin)
- Vince Hizon (Gordon's Gin)
- Nelson Asaytono (San Miguel)
- Mythical Second Team:
- Noli Locsin (Gordon's Gin)
- Dindo Pumaren (Purefoods)
- Bong Ravena (Purefoods)
- Jun Limpot (Sta. Lucia)
- Jerry Codiñera (Purefoods)
- All Defensive Team:
- Jerry Codiñera (Purefoods)
- Freddie Abuda (San Miguel)
- Johnny Abarrientos (Alaska)
- Jeffrey Cariaso (Mobiline)
- Marlou Aquino (Gordon's Gin)
Awards given by the PBA Press Corps
- Coach of the Year: Ron Jacobs (San Miguel)
- Mr. Quality Minutes: Paul Alvarez (San Miguel)
- Executive of the Year: Simon Mossesgeld (Purefoods)
- Comeback Player of the Year: Paul Alvarez (San Miguel)
- Referee of the Year: Ernesto de Leon
Cumulative standings
| Team | GP | W | L | PCT |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alaska Milkmen | 60 | 35 | 25 | .583 |
| Gordon's Gin Boars | 68 | 39 | 29 | .574 |
| San Miguel Beermen | 63 | 35 | 28 | .556 |
| Purefoods Corned Beef Cowboys/Carne Norte Beefies | 63 | 34 | 29 | .540 |
| Sta. Lucia Realtors | 61 | 31 | 30 | .508 |
| Mobiline Cellulars/Phone Pals | 47 | 20 | 27 | .426 |
| Pop Cola Bottlers | 38 | 14 | 24 | .368 |
| Formula Shell Zoom Masters | 46 | 15 | 31 | .326 |
References
- "PBA 23rd season opens with Grand slam coaches". Manila Bulletin online.
