1997 PBA Commissioner's Cup finals explained

Year:1997
Conference:Commissioner's Cup
Champion:Gordon's Gin Boars
Champion Games:4
Runnerup Games:2
Date:August 26 – September 7, 1997
Television:VTV (IBC)
Next Conf:1997 Governors'

The 1997 PBA Commissioner's Cup finals was the best-of-7 series basketball championship of the 1997 PBA Commissioner's Cup, and the conclusion of the conference's playoffs. The Gordon's Gin Boars and Alaska Milkmen played for the 67th championship contested by the league.

Gordon's Gin Boars finally ended a six-year title drought, winning their finals series over Alaska Milkmen, 4 games to 2.

Qualification

Gordon's GinAlaska
Finished 6–4 (.600), tied for 1st EliminationsFinished 5–5 (.500), 5th
Finished 11–7 (.611), tied for 1st SemifinalsFinished 11–7 (.611), tied for 1st, and, +12 in overall point differential over San Miguel
Won against San Miguel, 106–100 Playoff

Series scoring summary

align=center width=30%Teamwidth=8%Game 1width=8%Game 2width=8%Game 3width=8%Game 4width=8%Game 5width=8%Game 6width=8%Wins
Gordon's Gin99 102 87 90 81 105 4
Alaska89 96 86 108 86 79 2
VenueCunetaAranetaCunetaCunetaAranetaCuneta

Games summary

Game 1

Chris King registered a triple-double of 40 points, 13 rebounds and 10 assists, as he figured in Gordon's key third quarter assault when they grabbed a 55–52 lead. Alaska had one last chance to stage a reversal late in the game but King took command, giving the Boars a 94–84 bubble with a minute to go.

Game 2

Chris King, despite suffering a pulled left hamstring, never gave up, he hits the dagger three-pointer from a Marlou Aquino pass with 37.2 seconds left to give the Boars a four-point lead. Doctors later found out that King had a strained ligament and a partial tear on his left hamstring.

Game 3

The Boars pulled through a down-the-wire final minute with import Chris King's inside basket and Pido Jarencio's key triple as the Milkmen succumbed to turnovers and missed attempts in their last possessions. Jarencio waxes hot with seven triples, five in the final half, on a 7-of-8 shooting from the three-point range. Alaska had one last crack to win the game but Dwight Lago's jumper went all air as Gordon's takes a 3–0 lead.[1]

Game 6

A decisive 33–5 run in the third quarter as the Boars' avalanche of points blew the game wide open. Gordon's steamrolled to a 30-point lead at 79–49, going into the fourth quarter, while limiting Alaska to an all-time lowest score of five points in a quarter.[2]

Awards

Broadcast notes

Game Courtside Reporter
Game 1
Game 2 Anthony Suntay and Butch Maniego
Game 3 Anthony Suntay and Butch Maniego
Game 4 Anthony Suntay and Butch Maniego
Game 5
Game 6 Anthony Suntay, Butch Maniego and Randy Sacdalan

External links

Notes and References

  1. News: Scent of title gets stronger for Gordon's. Manila Standard.
  2. News: Gordon's Gin ends 6-year drought. Manila Standard.
  3. News: Abarrientos named best player. Manila Standard.