The PBA is in their toughest challenge with the formation of a new league calledMetropolitan Basketball Association, backed by the giant network ABS-CBN, and is perceived to be a threat to the 24-year existence of the PBA.[1]
The Alaska Milkmen won two titles during the year while Formula Shell ended a six-year title-drought by winning the final conference of the season.
For the third time in every four years, an All-pro squad to be known asPhilippine Centennial Team will be given a task to win the basketball gold in theAsian Games, slated in December inBangkok, Thailand. Alaska coachTim Cone was chosen to handle to national team and pick the pro cagers to comprise the 12-man lineup. The Centennial team participated in the Jones Cup basketball tournament in Taipei and won their third championship.[2]
This is the only season that features four conferences with the addition of theCentennial Cup in celebration of the centennial anniversary of Philippine independence. ThePhilippine Centennial Team played as guest team in preparation for the1998 Asian Games. The tournament was won by theMobiline Phone Pals.
The two-import format was revived during the Centennial Cup and the Governor's Cup.
^If a team outside the top two teams wins at least seven semifinal round games, then it and the second-placed team will playoff for the last Finals berth; otherwise, the top 2 teams qualify outright.
