As a longtime PBA fan who's been following the league since my college days, I remember how excited I was when the 2017 Philippine Cup schedule finally dropped. Let me walk you through how I typically approach planning my viewing schedule for what many consider the most prestigious conference in Philippine basketball. First things first - I always start by marking the opening weekend, which for the 2017 season was set for November 20, 2016 at the Smart Araneta Coliseum. That's right, the tournament actually starts in late 2016 despite being called the 2017 season, which always throws new fans off.
Now here's my personal method for tracking games - I create a color-coded spreadsheet divided into three phases: elimination round, quarterfinals, and semifinals leading to the finals. The elimination round typically runs from November through January with teams playing 11 games each. What I've learned from experience is that December games often have the most electric atmosphere because of the holiday spirit, but they're also the hardest to get tickets for if you don't book early. Last season I missed the Ginebra vs Magnolia Christmas Day game because I waited too long, and let me tell you, hearing about that game from friends still stings.
When planning which games to watch live, I always prioritize matchups between traditional rivals. The Manila Clasico between Barangay Ginebra and Magnolia is absolutely worth rearranging your schedule for - the energy at the arena is just different. I typically budget around ₱1,500-₱2,000 per game for decent lower box seats, though you can find upper box tickets for as low as ₱350 if you don't mind the nosebleed sections. Pro tip: Wednesday games at Ynares Center in Antipolo are easier to get tickets for compared to weekend games at MOA Arena.
One thing I can't stress enough is keeping flexible with your schedule because the PBA frequently adjusts game dates depending on team standings and TV coverage. I've had to cancel dinner plans multiple times because a crucial matchup got moved to prime time. The league usually announces these changes about 10-14 days in advance through their official social media accounts, which I check religiously every morning.
Speaking of schedule changes, injuries can really shake things up. I still recall that weekend game in Ilagan, Isabela where the 6-foot-4 forward suffered that injury during the Elasto Painters' 95-89 loss to Meralco. That single injury actually affected three subsequent games in the schedule because they had to reshuffle their rotation. It's moments like these that remind you how one play can change the entire complexion of the tournament.
My personal preference is always to catch the semifinals live rather than the finals. The semifinal round uses a best-of-seven format spread across three weeks, and the tension builds beautifully game by game. The finals get all the glory, but the semifinals are where you see raw, unfiltered basketball - teams playing with their backs against the wall, coaches making desperate adjustments, players pushing through exhaustion. Last season I attended Game 5 of the San Miguel vs TNT semifinals, and the atmosphere was so intense you could literally feel the stadium vibrating during crunch time.
For out-of-town games like the one in Ilagan, I've learned to book transportation and accommodation at least three weeks in advance. Those provincial games have a completely different vibe - the crowds are louder, the food is better, and players seem more relaxed interacting with fans. The downside is that the schedule sometimes gets affected by weather conditions, so I always have backup plans for those.
What many casual fans don't realize is that the playoff format can get pretty complicated. The top two teams get twice-to-beat advantages in the quarterfinals, while teams ranked 3-6 battle in a knockout stage. I've created a simple flowchart that I share with friends every season because honestly, even I get confused sometimes with all the permutations.
Ticket purchasing has gotten much easier in recent years though. I use the SM Tickets app for games at MOA Arena and just show the QR code at the gate. For games at Araneta, I prefer buying physical tickets because the signal inside can be spotty. They usually release tickets about five days before each game, though for blockbuster matchups I've seen tickets sell out within two hours.
Looking back at the 2017 Philippine Cup schedule, what stood out to me was how well-spaced the games were compared to previous seasons. The league seemed to have learned from the 2016 tournament where players were visibly fatigued from back-to-back games. This time they incorporated more rest days, which resulted in higher quality basketball throughout the tournament.
At the end of the day, following the PBA Philippine Cup schedule is like conducting a seasonal romance with Philippine basketball. You mark your calendar, rearrange your priorities, and immerse yourself in the narrative of each team's journey. The 2017 tournament particularly holds special memories for me because it was the first season I brought my daughter to her live game - watching her wave that giant foam hand while eating arena popcorn is a memory I'll cherish forever.