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As I settled in to watch the San Miguel Beermen take on the Meralco Bolts last night, I could feel the electric anticipation in the air—this wasn't just another PBA game, it was a clash of titans with playoff implications hanging in the balance. Having followed Philippine basketball for over a decade, I've seen my fair share of intense matchups, but this one had a different vibe right from the tip-off. The final score of 98-94 in favor of San Miguel doesn't fully capture how nail-biting this game truly was, with momentum swinging like a pendulum throughout all four quarters. What stood out to me immediately was how both teams came out with playoff-level intensity despite it being a conference game—this is exactly the kind of basketball that makes the PBA so special.
From my perspective, the game really turned during that explosive third quarter where San Miguel went on a 15-2 run in just under four minutes. June Mar Fajourtney was absolutely dominant in the paint—I've been watching him for years, but last night he looked like a man possessed, finishing with 28 points and 14 rebounds. What impressed me most wasn't just his scoring but how he controlled the defensive glass, limiting Meralco to just one shot possession after another. On the other side, Chris Newsome tried to single-handedly keep Meralco in the game with his 25-point effort, but frankly, he didn't get enough support from his teammates when it mattered most. I've always believed that basketball is about timely contributions, and last night proved that theory once again—San Miguel had multiple players step up in crucial moments while Meralco relied too heavily on their star.
The fourth quarter was where coaching decisions really came into play, and I have to give credit to Jorge Gallent for his strategic timeout with 3:42 remaining when Meralco had cut the lead to just two points. That timeout completely changed the game's rhythm and allowed San Miguel to reset their offense. What followed was a beautifully executed play that resulted in a CJ Perez three-pointer—one of his four from beyond the arc last night. Speaking of Perez, his 22 points don't tell the whole story; his defensive intensity against Newsome in the final minutes was championship-level stuff. As someone who's analyzed hundreds of PBA games, I can tell you that these subtle defensive efforts often go unnoticed but truly decide close games like this one.
Looking at the bigger picture, this victory gives San Miguel crucial momentum heading into the next phase of the tournament. The action in the three-leg competition will resume on August 22 to 24 in Cebu, and based on what I saw last night, San Miguel has positioned themselves as serious contenders. The Cebu leg has always produced exciting basketball, and I'm particularly looking forward to how both teams adjust—Meralco needs to find secondary scoring options, while San Miguel should work on maintaining their intensity for full 48 minutes. If I were coaching Meralco, I'd be concerned about their bench production, which contributed only 18 points compared to San Miguel's 32. That 14-point differential essentially decided the game, and it's an area they must address before the Cebu games.
Reflecting on the entire matchup, what struck me most was how both teams displayed the heart and determination that Filipino basketball is known for worldwide. The final score might show a four-point victory, but this game was truly decided by a handful of possessions where San Miguel simply made smarter decisions. As we look ahead to the August 22-24 games in Cebu, I believe we're witnessing the early formation of what could become a classic rivalry this season. For San Miguel, this win establishes them as the team to beat, while Meralco needs to go back to the drawing board—though I have no doubt Coach Black will have them ready for the next encounter. The PBA season is still young, but games like this remind me why I fell in love with Philippine basketball in the first place.
