Last night's PBA finals had me on the edge of my seat until the final buzzer, and I have to say, the final score of 98-94 in favor of San Miguel Beermen over TNT Tropang Giga didn't surprise me one bit. As someone who's been covering Philippine basketball for over a decade, I've seen how championship games often come down to which team can maintain their composure when everything's on the line. What struck me most wasn't just the numbers on the scoreboard, but how perfectly they reflected the game's narrative - a story of resilience, adjustment, and ultimately, teamwork prevailing over individual brilliance.
I remember watching June Mar Fajnero dominate the paint with 28 points and 15 rebounds, his footwork looking sharper than I've seen all season. But what really caught my eye was how San Miguel's import, Devon Scott, adapted his game after those two early turnovers. See, that's where the real magic happened - in those moments of imperfection that Figueroa mentioned in his recent interview. He'd said something that's been sticking with me: "Maraming beses, kasi hindi naman kami perfect, after mangyari ng hindi pagkaintindihan, nag-usap-usap lang kami, nag-regroup lang kami hanggang sa makuha namin yung timing namin sa team at sa isa't-isa." That philosophy was on full display last night when San Miguel recovered from that shaky second quarter where they committed 7 turnovers. Instead of finger-pointing, you could see them huddling during timeouts, recalibrating, finding their rhythm again. It's this willingness to embrace imperfection that separates good teams from championship teams.
The third quarter turnaround was a masterclass in tactical adjustment. San Miguel's coach Leo Austria made what I consider the game-changing move by shifting to a smaller lineup that spread the floor, creating driving lanes that simply weren't there in the first half. They shot 54% from the field in that decisive period, compared to TNT's 42% - numbers that don't lie about coaching effectiveness. I've always believed that championships are won between games through preparation, but they're secured during games through adaptation. Watching CJ Perez attack the basket with that renewed confidence, scoring 12 of his 24 points in that quarter, reminded me why I fell in love with Philippine basketball - it's the heart these players show when their backs are against the wall.
What many casual viewers might miss is how much mental fortitude matters in these high-pressure situations. When TNT went on that 10-2 run early in the fourth quarter, cutting the lead to just 3 points with 6:32 remaining, I'll admit I had flashbacks to last season's finals where San Miguel collapsed in similar circumstances. But this team has clearly learned from those experiences. Their defensive rotations became sharper, their offensive sets more deliberate. They didn't panic - they regrouped, just as Figueroa described. That maturity comes from going through battles together, from having those difficult conversations after losses, from building the trust that allows you to weather storms.
The individual performances were spectacular, no doubt. Mikey Williams put on an absolute show for TNT with 35 points, including 7 three-pointers that had the arena roaring. But basketball, at its core, remains a team sport, and San Miguel's 24 assists to TNT's 18 tells the real story. I've always valued team chemistry over individual talent, and last night proved why. When the game was on the line, San Miguel moved the ball with purpose, finding the open man rather than forcing contested shots. That final possession where they ran down the clock and found Marcio Lassiter for that corner three was poetry in motion - the culmination of countless hours of practice and trust-building.
Looking back at the entire game, what impresses me most is how both teams embodied the spirit of Philippine basketball - relentless, passionate, and fundamentally sound. The 15 lead changes and 8 ties demonstrate how evenly matched these teams are, yet San Miguel's ability to execute in crunch time made the difference. As I reflect on another thrilling PBA finals chapter, I'm reminded why this league continues to capture the nation's imagination. It's not just about the athleticism or the skills - it's about teams growing together through their imperfections, communicating through misunderstandings, and ultimately finding that perfect timing that turns good teams into champions. The final score tells us who won, but the journey to get there tells us everything about why they deserved to win.
