1997 PBA All-Filipino Cup
The 1997 Philippine Basketball Association All-Filipino Cup was the first conference of the 1997 PBA season. It started on February 16 and ended on May 25, 1997. The tournament is an All-Filipino format, which doesn't require an import or a pure-foreign player for each team.
Format
The following format will be observed for the duration of the conference:- Double-round robin eliminations; 14 games per team; Teams are then seeded by basis on win–loss records.
- The top five teams after the eliminations will advance to the semifinals.
- Semifinals will be two round robin affairs with the remaining five teams. Results from the eliminations will be carried over. A playoff incentive for a finals berth will be given to the team that will win at least five of their eight semifinal games.
- The top two teams will face each other in a best-of-seven championship series. The next two teams dispute the third-place trophy in a one-game playoff.