1996-97 POBA season

The 1996–97 POBA season was the 1st season of the Pacific Ocean Basketball Association (POBA). The regular season began on September 24, 1996, and the playoffs began on January 7, 1997.

Expansion Teams

After the folding of the Toronto Thunder, four expansion teams were added to the league; namely:

• London Lancers
• Atlanta Aces
• New Community Patriots
• Hellhill Heat

Regular Season

Standings

1996–97 POBA Regular Season Standings

Pos	Team	W	L	PCT	GB
1	Sting Rays (Q)	11	1	1.00	—
2	Chicago Giants (Q)	9	3	.875	2
3	Atlanta Aces (Q)	9	3	.625	2
4	Harlem Globetrotters (Q)	8	4	.500	3
5	New Kelp Warriors	8	4	.375	3
6	Toon Tomahawks	6	6	.375	5
7	Rock Bottom Racketeers	4	8	.250	7
8	Cebu Elites	3	9	.125	8
9	London Lancers	1	11	.375	10
10	Bikini Bottom Bulldogs	1	11	.375	10
11	New Community Patriots	1	11	.250	10
12	Hellhill Heat	0	12	.125	11

(Q) – qualified for playoffs

Playoffs

The playoffs this season used a single elimination format.

Quarterfinals

• (1) Sting Rays def. (4) Harlem Globetrotters (78–62)
• (3) Atlanta Aces def. (2) Chicago Giants (81–80)

Finals

• Game 1: Sting Rays def. Atlanta Aces (77–70)
• Game 2: Atlanta Aces def. Sting Rays (65–62)
• Game 3: Atlanta Aces def. Sting Rays (71–68)
• Game 4: Sting Rays def. Atlanta Aces (79–74)
• Game 5: Atlanta Aces def. Sting Rays (82–75)
• Game 6: Atlanta Aces def. Sting Rays (74–72)
• Atlanta Aces win series 4–2