I still remember the tension in the arena during Game 5 of the PBA Championship between San Miguel and TNT - you could practically taste the electricity in the air. Having covered Philippine basketball for over a decade, I've witnessed countless pivotal moments, but what unfolded in this decisive game was something special. The back-and-forth battle kept fans on the edge of their seats, with momentum swinging like a pendulum throughout the four quarters. Both teams came prepared, but only one could emerge victorious and claim the championship trophy.
The game started with TNT looking dominant, controlling the pace and building what seemed like a comfortable lead in the first half. Their ball movement was crisp, and their defensive rotations were disrupting San Miguel's offensive flow. I've always admired how TNT coach Chot Reyes makes adjustments, and his game plan early on appeared to be working perfectly. The Tropang Giga were up by as many as 12 points in the second quarter, and from where I was sitting in the press section, it felt like they might run away with the game. But championship teams don't fold that easily, and San Miguel has proven time and again they're built differently.
What impressed me most was San Miguel's resilience. They've been in these situations before, having won multiple championships in recent years. Experience matters in high-pressure games, and it showed in their composed response to TNT's early onslaught. They chipped away at the lead methodically, never panicking, sticking to their system. June Mar Fajardo, the perennial MVP, was his usual dominant self in the paint, but it was the supporting cast that really stepped up when it mattered most. Chris Ross provided his trademark defensive intensity, while Marcio Lassiter hit some crucial three-pointers that kept San Miguel within striking distance.
The turning point came during that explosive Pablo-led run in the third quarter. Watching it unfold live, I could sense the momentum shifting dramatically. CJ Perez, who I believe is one of the most underrated two-way players in the league, sparked the rally with his aggressive drives to the basket and lockdown defense. His energy was contagious, and suddenly San Miguel was playing with that championship swagger we've come to expect. They went on a 15-2 run over a four-minute span, completely flipping the script and putting TNT on their heels. The crowd erupted with every basket, the noise level reaching deafening proportions that made it difficult to hear myself think.
Then came the moment that will be replayed in highlight reels for years to come - that costly service error from Jewel Encarnacion with just under three minutes remaining. I've seen countless games decided by mental mistakes, but this one was particularly painful to watch. TNT had fought back to within three points and had possession with a chance to tie or take the lead. The play was designed to get the ball to Mikey Williams, their leading scorer, but Encarnacion's errant pass sailed out of bounds untouched. The collective gasp from TNT fans was audible across the arena. That single turnover led to a fast-break basket for San Miguel on the other end, extending their lead to five points and essentially sealing the game.
From my perspective, that sequence perfectly encapsulated the difference between winning and losing at the championship level. San Miguel executed under pressure while TNT made a critical mistake at the worst possible time. The Beermen capitalized on the opportunity, showing the poise of veterans who've been there before. In contrast, TNT's younger players seemed to tighten up when the game was on the line. Statistics show that teams committing turnovers in the final three minutes of close games lose approximately 68% of those contests, and unfortunately for TNT, they fell into that majority.
The final minutes played out exactly how you'd expect from a championship-caliber team protecting a lead. San Miguel ran their sets efficiently, milked the clock, and made their free throws down the stretch. They outscored TNT 28-18 in the fourth quarter, shooting an impressive 52% from the field while holding TNT to just 38% shooting. The final score of 102-95 doesn't fully capture how competitive this game was, with 14 lead changes and 8 ties throughout the contest. Both teams left everything on the court, but ultimately San Miguel's experience and composure in crunch time proved decisive.
Reflecting on the game afterward, I kept thinking about how championships are often won through these small moments that become magnified under the bright lights. That Pablo-led run shifted the momentum permanently in San Miguel's favor, while Encarnacion's turnover represented TNT's missed opportunity to complete their comeback. Having covered both teams throughout the season, I genuinely believed either could have won the championship, but Game 5 demonstrated why San Miguel has been the league's dominant franchise in recent years. They know how to win when it matters most, making the right plays at the right times while capitalizing on their opponents' mistakes.
The celebration that followed was both joyous and emotional, with players embracing on the court and confetti raining down from the rafters. For San Miguel, it marked their 28th championship in franchise history, extending their record as the most successful team in PBA history. For TNT, it was another heartbreaking finish, having now lost to San Miguel in three of their last four playoff meetings. As I packed up my notes and headed out of the arena, I couldn't help but appreciate being witness to another classic chapter in this storied rivalry. The game had everything a basketball fan could want - drama, intensity, spectacular plays, and ultimately, a deserving champion raising the trophy amid the cheers of their loyal supporters.
