I still remember watching that draft night back in Season 50, wondering where all these young talents would end up. Little did I know that one particular pick would eventually become such a crucial piece in this championship series. The No. 34 selection that Rain or Shine decided not to sign has been nothing short of spectacular for Ginebra, and tonight's Game 4 performance just proved how wrong that original assessment was.
What an absolute thriller this game turned out to be! The atmosphere inside the arena was electric from the opening tip-off, with both teams understanding the massive implications of this matchup. Ginebra came out swinging, determined to avoid falling into a 3-1 hole against a TNT squad that has looked increasingly dominant throughout these finals. I've been covering Philippine basketball for over a decade now, and I can tell you there's something special about these Ginebra-TNT matchups - they always deliver drama, intensity, and unforgettable basketball moments.
The final score read 98-95 in favor of Ginebra, but those numbers don't even begin to tell the full story of this contest. This was one of those games where every possession mattered, where defensive stops felt as significant as spectacular offensive plays. Both teams traded baskets throughout the first quarter, with TNT's import finishing the period with 12 points on perfect shooting. I found myself thinking this might be another one of those nights where TNT's firepower would simply overwhelm Ginebra's defense.
Then came the second quarter, where our former No. 34 pick really started making his presence felt. He scored 8 consecutive points during a critical stretch, including back-to-back three-pointers that completely shifted the momentum. Watching him play with that chip on his shoulder, knowing he had been overlooked and undervalued, reminded me why I love sports stories like this. There's something profoundly satisfying about seeing players prove their doubters wrong on the biggest stage possible.
Statistics from the first half showed Ginebra shooting 48% from the field compared to TNT's 42%, but what impressed me more was their ball movement - 14 assists on 20 made field goals demonstrates the kind of selfless basketball coach Tim Cone has been preaching all season. Meanwhile, TNT relied heavily on their star guard, who already had 18 points by halftime but seemed to be carrying too much of the offensive load alone.
The third quarter featured what I'd consider one of the most dramatic turnarounds I've witnessed in recent finals history. TNT came out of the locker room with renewed energy, going on a 15-2 run that had Ginebra fans holding their breath. Their defense suddenly became suffocating, forcing 5 turnovers in the first 4 minutes of the half. I've seen many teams fold under that kind of pressure, but Ginebra showed the composure of champions, slowly working their way back into the game possession by possession.
What really stood out to me during that critical stretch was how Ginebra's role players stepped up when their stars were struggling. The bench contributed 28 points total, with several players hitting big shots when the game seemed to be slipping away. That's the mark of a well-coached team - when the system works regardless of who's on the floor. Coach Cone's adjustments after timeout situations were particularly effective, something I've noticed throughout his legendary career.
The fourth quarter was pure basketball poetry. Back-and-forth action, lead changes, controversial calls, and clutch shooting - everything you could want from a championship game. With 2:34 remaining and the score tied at 89-89, our No. 34 pick made what might be the play of the series so far - a steal followed by a transition three-pointer that brought the entire arena to its feet. The confidence he showed in that moment, after being left unsigned just seasons ago, speaks volumes about his mental toughness.
TNT had their chances down the stretch, including two wide-open three-point attempts in the final 30 seconds that just rimmed out. Sometimes basketball comes down to those small margins, those moments where the ball either goes in or it doesn't. Their main scorer finished with 32 points, 7 rebounds, and 5 assists in a losing effort, while Ginebra had a more balanced attack with six players scoring in double figures.
Looking at the bigger picture, this series is now effectively a best-of-three, with all the pressure shifting back to TNT. Ginebra has shown they can match up physically and mentally with the top-seeded team, and they've done it with contributions from up and down their roster. The decision to pick up that No. 34 selection from the free agent list looks smarter with each passing game, proving that sometimes the best moves are the ones you don't make - or in Rain or Shine's case, the ones they should have made.
As someone who's followed these players' careers from their amateur days, there's a particular satisfaction in seeing overlooked talents thrive. The PBA has always been a league where opportunity meets preparation, and tonight's game exemplified that perfectly. Both teams left everything on the court, but Ginebra just made one more play when it mattered most. The series now moves to a crucial Game 5, and if it's anything like what we witnessed tonight, basketball fans are in for another treat. Sometimes the draft isn't about where you're picked, but where you eventually find your home - and for Ginebra's unexpected hero, that home has become the biggest stage in Philippine basketball.
