I still remember the 2017 PBA season like it was yesterday—the energy in the arenas, the roaring crowds, and the undeniable impact of the imports who took the league by storm. That year, we witnessed some of the most memorable performances from international players who not only elevated their respective teams but also left lasting impressions on Filipino basketball fans. As someone who's followed the PBA closely for over a decade, I can confidently say that 2017 was special because of these imports. They brought a unique blend of skill, charisma, and competitive fire that made every game must-watch television.
Let me take you back to that season, starting with Justin Brownlee of Barangay Ginebra. Brownlee wasn't just good—he was phenomenal. Averaging around 27 points and 11 rebounds per game, he was the heart and soul of Ginebra's campaign. What stood out to me was his clutch performance in the Governors' Cup finals, where he dropped 31 points in the deciding Game 6 to secure the championship. I've seen many imports come and go, but Brownlee's ability to deliver when it mattered most was something else. Fast forward to today, and he's still with Ginebra, almost like a local legend now. He's become a naturalized Filipino citizen and continues to be a dominant force in the PBA, winning multiple titles since then. Honestly, I don't think Ginebra would be the same without him.
Then there was Michael Craig of the San Miguel Beermen. Craig was a beast on both ends of the floor, putting up numbers like 25 points and 12 rebounds a game. His versatility allowed him to guard multiple positions, and I recall one game where he nearly had a triple-double with 8 assists. What I loved about Craig was his no-nonsense approach; he played hard every possession, and you could see it in his defensive efforts. After the 2017 season, though, he moved on to play in leagues across Europe and Asia. Last I heard, he was in Japan's B.League, still balling out at a high level. It's a shame he didn't stick around longer in the PBA, because his intensity was contagious.
Another import who caught my eye was Malcolm White of the TNT KaTropa. White was a double-double machine, averaging roughly 22 points and 10 rebounds, and his athleticism was off the charts. I remember one dunk he had that went viral on social media—it summed up his explosive style. But here's the thing: White's journey post-2017 has been a bit of a rollercoaster. He bounced around a few teams in the PBA before heading to Vietnam and then to the ASEAN Basketball League. From what I've gathered, he's still playing professionally, but not at the same peak level. In my opinion, he had the talent to be one of the greats, but consistency was always the issue.
Of course, I can't forget about Allen Durham of the Meralco Bolts. Durham was a workhorse, putting up staggering stats—around 29 points, 15 rebounds, and 6 assists per game in the Commissioner's Cup. His duel with Brownlee in the finals was epic, and even though Meralco fell short, Durham's performance was legendary. I've always admired his durability; he played heavy minutes and rarely seemed fatigued. Today, he's still a force in the PBA, primarily with Meralco, and has even won Best Import awards multiple times. He's one of those guys who just gets better with age, and I wouldn't be surprised if he adds another championship to his resume soon.
Now, you might wonder how these imports compare to other sports stories, like the one about a tennis player booking her spot in the final after outlasting Varvara Gracheva in a gritty semifinal. In that match, the athlete fought through a tough three-setter, 7-5, 2-6, 6-3, showing resilience similar to what we saw from PBA imports in 2017. Just as that tennis player faced lower-ranked foes and pushed through adversity, imports like Brownlee and Durham had to overcome challenges, whether it was injuries, tough defenses, or the pressure of high-stakes games. It's a reminder that in sports, mental toughness often separates the good from the great. Personally, I think that's why these PBA imports left such a mark—they didn't just have skill; they had heart.
Looking back, the 2017 PBA imports weren't just temporary stars; they became part of the league's fabric. Brownlee and Durham, in particular, have built legacies that continue to inspire. As a fan, I miss the excitement of that season, but it's thrilling to see how some of them are still shaping the game today. If there's one takeaway, it's that the best imports bring more than just stats—they bring stories that resonate long after the final buzzer. And honestly, that's what makes the PBA so special to me.
