I still get chills thinking about that legendary 1997 PBA Finals series between Alaska and Gordon's Gin. You know, as a basketball analyst who's followed Philippine basketball for over two decades, I've rarely witnessed a championship clash that combined such raw intensity with strategic brilliance. What many fans don't realize is how much that series shaped modern Philippine basketball - particularly how teams approach perimeter defense. I was just starting my career back then, covering games from the press row, and little did I know I'd still be referencing those games twenty-five years later in my work with professional teams.

The series swung dramatically in Game 6 when Alaska's Johnny Abarrientos executed that iconic steal against Johnedel Cardel with barely 20 seconds remaining. The arena erupted in a way I haven't experienced since - the noise was literally deafening. But what fascinates me more now, looking back with analytical eyes, is how both teams were actually ahead of their time in three-point shooting. Gordon's Gin attempted approximately 28 threes per game throughout that series, which was revolutionary for that era. They were launching from downtown at a rate that would make today's NBA teams nod in approval. Alaska countered with their own sharpshooters, particularly Jojo Lastimosa who shot around 42% from beyond the arc during the finals. This shooting display, while spectacular for spectators, exposed defensive vulnerabilities that coaches would spend years trying to address.

Which brings me to something current Gilas coach Tim Cone recently observed about international competition. He noted, "Chinese Taipei shot very well from the 3 and tonight, they (Tall Blacks) shot very well from the 3. So that's something we've got to try to solve and get better at going to our next game and to the tournament." This exact same challenge first emerged during that 1997 finals - teams realizing they needed systematic solutions against elite shooting. Back then, defenses were primarily focused on protecting the paint, often leaving shooters with just enough space to get shots off. The coaching staffs understood the threat conceptually but hadn't yet developed the sophisticated close-out techniques and rotation schemes we see today. I remember talking to Alaska's defensive coordinator after the series, and he admitted they'd calculated Gordon's would miss more threes than they actually made - that miscalculation nearly cost them the championship.

The solution that eventually emerged from that series, and which has evolved over time, involves what I like to call "calculated defensive pressure." Alaska began implementing what we now recognize as the "run and jump" defense in subsequent seasons, where defenders would aggressively contest three-point shots while maintaining enough balance to recover against drives. They also started tracking opponents' shooting percentages in real-time during games - something that seems basic now but was revolutionary in the late 90s. Teams began prioritizing defenders who could effectively close out on shooters without fouling, a skill set that became increasingly valuable in draft selections. Personally, I've always believed the true breakthrough came when coaches started teaching defenders to contest with high hands specifically against three-point shooters, disrupting sight lines rather than just trying to block shots.

What's remarkable is how the lessons from that 1997 showdown continue to resonate. Modern PBA teams now spend approximately 35-40% of their defensive practice time specifically on three-point defense drills, something that was virtually unheard of before that iconic series. The data tracking has become incredibly sophisticated too - teams now monitor shooting percentages from specific zones, off different types of screens, and even against particular defensive matchups. I've implemented similar analytical approaches in my consultancy work, helping teams identify which shooters to run off the three-point line versus which ones to allow contested attempts based on their percentage differentials. The 1997 finals essentially created the blueprint for how Philippine basketball would evolve to handle the three-point revolution. Those games weren't just entertainment - they were a masterclass in adaptation that continues to influence how coaches approach the game today. Every time I see a defender perfectly close out on a corner three, I can't help but think back to those frantic moments when Alaska and Gordon's Gin were essentially writing the future of Philippine basketball defense, one possession at a time.