For the 2017 season, it was Paulense's first in the reformatted triangular phases, they played in Group B of the first phase which featured Académica do Porto Novo, champion of the South Zone, the 2016 champion Mindelense and Académico do Aeroporto from Sal. Paulense lost the first round match to almighty Mindelense. A minimal success was made, three consecutive draws were next, the third one had no goals in a challenge with Mindelense. Paulense lost 1–3 to Académico do Aeroporto at the 5th round and lost their ticket to the playoff stage, Paulense finished last in the group and suffered as they had their worst season without a win and 10 goals conceded totalling 55 and their victory to loss ratio is now less than a quarter of its 37 matches played.