1997 PBA season

1997 PBA season
1997 PBA season
Duration	February 16, 1997 – December 14, 1997
Number of teams	8
TV partner(s)	Vintage Sports (IBC)
Draft
Top draft pick	Andy Seigle
Picked by	Mobiline Cellulars
Conferences
All-Filipino Cup champions	Purefoods Corned Beef
Runners-up	Gordon's Gin
Commissioner's Cup champions	Gordon's Gin Boars
Runners-up	Alaska Milkmen
Governors Cup champions	Alaska Milkmen
Runners-up	Purefoods Carne Norte
Awards
Season MVP	Alvin Patrimonio
Seasons
< 1996 1998  >

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, and Nic Belasco were selected at numbers one and two, respectively.
• 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 ended a six-year title drought for the La Tondeña franchise by winning the Commissioner's Cup title over defending champion Alaska Milkmen.
• The Alaska Milkmen retains the Governors' Cup title for the fourth straight time and defend the only crown left in their grandslam conquest last season. Alaska has overtaken the defunct Presto franchise as the fourth winningest ballclub in the PBA.
• Alvin Patrimonio won his fourth MVP award, tying Ramon Fernandez for the most number of MVP awards.^[1]

Opening ceremonies

The muses for the participating teams are as follows:

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 Milkmen (35-25, .583)
• Best Team of the Year: Alaska Milkmen (2nd)

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

References