Walking back onto the court after a long break always carries a mix of excitement and pressure, and that’s exactly what I felt watching San Miguel and Magnolia face off in their latest matchup. As someone who’s followed the PBA for years, I’ve always admired how these two teams bring out the best—and sometimes the most unexpected—in each other. This game was no exception. From the opening tip-off, you could tell both teams were hungry, but San Miguel seemed just a little sharper, a little more cohesive. The final score, 98–92 in favor of San Miguel, tells part of the story, but the real drama unfolded quarter by quarter, possession by possession. Let’s break it down.
The first quarter set the tone, with San Miguel jumping to a quick 28–20 lead. Honestly, I was impressed by their ball movement—they racked up 8 assists in just those first 12 minutes. June Mar Fajardo was, as usual, a force in the paint, grabbing 6 rebounds and scoring 10 points early on. Magnolia, on the other hand, looked a bit disjointed. Paul Lee managed to sink a couple of threes, but their defense struggled to contain San Miguel’s inside game. Watching Fajardo operate down low, I couldn’t help but think how much his presence opens things up for shooters like Marcio Lassiter. It’s not just about the points; it’s the spacing, the attention he draws. Magnolia’s coach surely noticed it too, but adjustments were slow to come.
By the second quarter, Magnolia started to find their rhythm, outscoring San Miguel 25–23. This was where the game felt truly competitive. Ian Sangalang came alive with 12 points in the quarter, showing some nice footwork in the post. Defensively, Magnolia forced 5 turnovers, which helped them cut the deficit to just 6 points by halftime. I’ve always believed that momentum shifts like these are what make basketball so thrilling. One minute, San Miguel looks unstoppable; the next, Magnolia’s fighting back with fast breaks and aggressive drives. Still, San Miguel’s depth showed—players like CJ Perez stepped up with timely buckets to keep them ahead. If I had to pinpoint one issue for Magnolia, it’s their bench production. They only got 9 points from reserves in the first half, compared to San Miguel’s 15. That kind of disparity adds up over four quarters.
The third quarter was where San Miguel really pulled away, and personally, I think this was the turning point. They exploded for 30 points, led by Terrence Romeo’s electric 14-point outburst. Romeo has this uncanny ability to create his own shot under pressure, and Magnolia’s guards just couldn’t stay in front of him. On defense, San Miguel clamped down, holding Magnolia to just 21 points. I noticed they switched more on screens, which disrupted Magnolia’s pick-and-roll game. Speaking of which, Magnolia’s reliance on isolations became a bit predictable—too much one-on-one play when ball movement might have opened things up. Stats back this up: they only had 4 assists in the quarter. Meanwhile, San Miguel’s ball movement was crisp, totaling 12 assists for the period. It’s little details like that which separate contenders from pretenders.
Then came the fourth quarter, and Magnolia made one last push, outscoring San Miguel 26–17. It was gritty, hard-nosed basketball, and I have to give credit to players like Mark Barroca, who scored 10 points in the final frame. But every time Magnolia got close, San Miguel had an answer—whether it was a clutch three from Lassiter or a key stop by Fajardo. With about two minutes left, the lead was down to 4, and the tension was palpable. I found myself leaning in, wondering if Magnolia could complete the comeback. But San Miguel’s experience shone through; they managed the clock well, hit their free throws, and sealed the game. Final stats tell a compelling story: San Miguel shot 48% from the field and dished out 28 assists, while Magnolia struggled with 42% shooting and 18 turnovers. Those numbers aren’t just random; they reflect San Miguel’s superior execution under pressure.
Reflecting on the game, I keep coming back to that quote from a veteran player—maybe it was Barroca or Lee—who said, "It’s good to be back on the floor," but added, "Hindi lang maganda siyempre, natalo kami." That sentiment resonates because it captures the bittersweet reality of competition. Returning to play brings joy, but losing stings. In this case, Magnolia’s effort was there, but San Miguel’s depth and execution made the difference. From my perspective, San Miguel looks poised for a deep playoff run if they maintain this level of play. Magnolia, though, needs to address their bench scoring and reduce turnovers. They’ve got the talent, but consistency is key. As a fan, I’m already looking forward to their next meeting—it’s these kinds of rivalries that make the PBA so special.