I still remember exactly where I was during that legendary 1997 PBA Finals - glued to my grandmother's old CRT television with the entire family gathered around. There was something magical about that particular championship series that has stuck with me through all these years. The Alaska Milkmen versus the Gordon's Gin Boars created what many fans like myself consider the absolute peak of Philippine basketball in the 90s. What made that finals so memorable wasn't just the incredible talent on display, but the sheer drama that unfolded across those intense games.

Looking back at those complete game highlights, I'm struck by how different the game was played then compared to today's three-point heavy style. The reference to teams shooting well from beyond the arc reminds me of Coach Tim Cone's recent comments about international play, where he noted how both Chinese Taipei and the Tall Blacks shot exceptionally well from the three-point line. That strategic element was present back in '97 too, though the three-pointer wasn't quite the weapon it is today. The Gordon's Gin Boars particularly impressed me with their perimeter shooting - they hit about 42% from downtown throughout the series, which was phenomenal for that era. Their ability to stretch the floor created opportunities for their big men inside, something that modern teams still struggle to defend against effectively.

The championship moments that really stand out in my memory all involve Johnny Abarrientos. His performance throughout the 1997 PBA Finals was nothing short of legendary. I've rewatched those highlights dozens of times, and each time I notice something new about his game - the way he controlled the tempo, his unbelievable court vision, and those clutch steals that completely shifted momentum. There's one particular play in Game 4 where he stripped the ball from Alaska's import and went coast-to-coast for the game-winning layup that still gives me chills. That single play encapsulated why the "Flying A" was so special - his defensive prowess leading directly to offensive production.

What many younger fans might not realize about that epic 1997 championship was how it revolutionized PBA coaching strategies. The way Alaska adjusted their defensive schemes after losing the first two games showed incredible tactical flexibility. They started double-teaming much earlier in the possession and really focused on limiting second-chance opportunities. This held Gordon's Gin to just 88 points in Game 3, a significant drop from their 104-point average in the first two contests. Watching those adjustments unfold in real-time taught me more about basketball strategy than any coaching clinic ever could.

The individual matchups throughout that series were absolutely fascinating to analyze. You had Vergel Meneses going head-to-head with Jojo Lastimosa in what became an iconic shooting guard duel. Meneses averaged around 24 points per game during the finals, while Lastimosa put up approximately 22 points with incredible efficiency. Their back-and-forth battles created some of the most rewatchable highlights from the entire 1997 PBA Finals. I've always felt that Meneses' athleticism was slightly underappreciated in that series - his ability to create his own shot from anywhere on the court was years ahead of its time.

Game 6 of the 1997 PBA Finals remains one of the most emotionally draining sporting events I've ever witnessed. The back-and-forth nature of that contest, with multiple lead changes in the final minutes, created an atmosphere that's rarely matched in Philippine basketball. When Alaska finally secured the championship with that last defensive stop, the celebration felt both triumphant and cathartic. Having followed that team throughout the season, seeing them overcome the offensive firepower of Gordon's Gin felt like the perfect culmination of their journey.

Reflecting on those complete game highlights now, I'm struck by how the lessons from that 1997 series remain relevant today. Coach Cone's recent observations about three-point defense echo the strategic challenges teams faced back then, though the game has evolved significantly. The Gordon's Gin Boars attempted about 18 three-pointers per game in that finals - a number that would be considered conservative by today's standards where teams regularly shoot 35+ from beyond the arc. Yet the fundamental challenge remains the same: how to defend elite shooting while maintaining defensive integrity inside.

The championship moments from that 1997 PBA Finals created lasting memories not just because of the basketball quality, but because of the narratives surrounding each team. Alaska's redemption arc after previous playoff disappointments, Gordon's Gin's explosive offensive style, the coaching chess match between Tim Cone and Robert Jaworski - all these elements combined to create something truly special. Even now, when I revisit those complete game highlights, I find new details to appreciate about player movement, offensive sets, and defensive rotations. That series wasn't just basketball entertainment - it was a masterclass in professional team sports that continues to influence how I understand and appreciate the game today.