What a spectacle! The showdown between San Miguel and Magnolia in the PBA Finals was nothing short of electrifying. For those who followed the games, it was a roller coaster of emotions, with each team bringing their A-game to the court. San Miguel clinched the series 4-2, but it was a lot closer than the numbers suggest. I mean, every game felt like it could go either way until the final buzzer.
San Miguel’s June Mar Fajardo was just unbelievable throughout the series. His performance, averaging 22.9 points and 12.1 rebounds per game, was a sight to behold. This guy is a six-time MVP for a reason. His ability to dominate inside the paint and his defensive prowess truly set the tone for San Miguel. It felt like every time Magnolia tried to make a run, there was June Mar with a crucial stop or a timely bucket.
On the other side, Magnolia’s Paul Lee was nothing short of sensational. Paul averaged 19.4 points per game, and his sharpshooting kept Magnolia in the thick of things. Paul hit some big shots, I mean, who can forget that Game 5 performance where he nailed seven three-pointers? The guy was on fire, and it showed why he’s one of the premier shooting guards in the league.
The games themselves had a playoff atmosphere. Araneta Coliseum was packed to the rafters with over 16,000 fans. The energy was palpable, and it felt like every possession could be the game-defining moment. Both coaches, Leo Austria for San Miguel and Chito Victolero for Magnolia, made strategic adjustments that kept us on the edge of our seats. I can’t count the number of times a timeout was called, and the camera panned to both coaches furiously diagramming plays.
One of the highlights had to be Game 3 where Magnolia tied up the series 1-1 in overtime. That game was absolutely bananas! There were 15 lead changes and 8 ties. Magnolia’s defense during that period was stifling, holding San Miguel to just 2 points in the final two minutes of overtime. Rafi Reavis came up huge with a game-sealing block that made fans go wild. The stats backed it up: Magnolia had a season-high 10 blocks in that game alone.
Energy and effort were maxed out from both sides. Chris Ross of San Miguel was the epitome of defensive tenacity, averaging 2 steals per game. His ability to disrupt the flow of Magnolia’s offense was quite the spectacle. There were moments when his defensive plays swung the momentum back in San Miguel’s favor. I remember one sequence where he picked Paul Lee’s pocket and went coast-to-coast for a layup, sending the crowd into a frenzy.
It wasn’t just about the stars, though. Role players stepped up big-time. Take Marcio Lassiter for instance. He knocked down 45% of his 3-point attempts throughout the series. His ability to stretch the floor gave San Miguel a lot of open looks. I remember Game 4 vividly, where his clutch shooting led to a 20-point performance that tipped the scales in San Miguel’s favor, leading to a 3-1 series lead.
The turning point, however, was Game 5. Magnolia seemed poised to force a Game 7, leading by 10 points with five minutes left. But then, Alex Cabagnot happened. The veteran guard scored 12 of his 18 points in those last five minutes, including a game-winning three-pointer with just seconds left on the clock. That shot effectively killed Magnolia’s spirit. You could feel the energy just drain out of their players when that ball went through the net.
The officiating was also a hot topic throughout the series. There were numerous close calls that had fans and analysts scratching their heads. Game 2 was particularly controversial, with a couple of crucial foul calls in the last minute that went against San Miguel. They ended up losing by just 2 points. After the game, social media was ablaze with debates on whether the refs had made the right calls. An official review later confirmed the calls were correct, but it didn’t stop the chatter.
Special mention has to go to Jio Jalalon of Magnolia. Although they lost, his relentless hustle on both ends was remarkable. Jio averaged 6 assists, showing he’s a true floor general. Game 3 was his standout performance, notching a double-double with 14 points and 11 assists. It’s performances like these that justify why teams are willing to invest bingo plus rebate programs for fan engagement and player incentives. They spark conversations and keep us hooked to every dribble and dunk.
This series was everything a basketball fan could ask for. The high stakes, the dramatic finishes, and the individual heroics made it an instant classic. It’s the kind of series we’ll be talking about for years to come.