Tunisia World Cup
That pivotal third quarter performance by Rain or Shine against TNT immediately came to mind when I analyzed Game 4 between San Miguel Beer and Meralco. Having covered numerous PBA playoff series, I've learned that championship-caliber teams often have that one defining quarter where they either establish dominance or crumble under pressure. Tonight's game followed that exact pattern, though with a different outcome than what we witnessed in the Elasto Painters' remarkable 37-12 third quarter explosion against TNT.
When I settled into my courtside seat for this crucial Game 4, I could feel the tension in the arena. Both teams understood what was at stake - San Miguel looking to push Meralco to the brink of elimination, while the Bolts desperately needed to even the series. The first half played out exactly as I anticipated, with both teams trading baskets and neither able to build a substantial lead. What surprised me, honestly, was how San Miguel's bench players stepped up when their starters struggled with early foul trouble. I've always believed championship teams need that next-man-up mentality, and the Beermen demonstrated exactly why they've been so successful in recent years.
The game truly turned in the third quarter, much like how Rain or Shine dominated TNT earlier this season. While the scoring differential wasn't as dramatic as the Elasto Painters' 37-12 explosion, San Miguel's 31-18 third quarter advantage proved equally devastating. From my vantage point, you could see Meralco's defensive rotations slowing down just enough for San Miguel's shooters to find their rhythm. June Mar Fajardo, who I consider the most dominant big man in the league today, completely took over the paint during this stretch. His footwork against Meralco's import was simply masterclass - something you have to see live to fully appreciate.
What impressed me most was how San Miguel maintained their intensity even after building a comfortable lead. Unlike TNT, who collapsed after Rain or Shine's third quarter barrage and trailed by as many as 35 points, Meralco showed tremendous fight in the final period. Chris Newsome, who I've watched develop into one of the league's premier guards, nearly engineered a miraculous comeback with his fourth quarter heroics. But every time Meralco threatened to close the gap, someone from San Miguel would hit a crucial basket. That's the mark of a veteran team that understands how to manage momentum swings.
The final score of 111-101 doesn't fully capture how San Miguel controlled this game for long stretches. Looking at the stat sheet, several numbers jump out at me. San Miguel shot 48% from the field compared to Meralco's 42%, but what really stood out was their three-point shooting - 14 made threes at a 38% clip. Having analyzed countless PBA games, I can tell you that when San Miguel shoots that well from beyond the arc, they're virtually unbeatable. Their ball movement created numerous open looks, and unlike in previous games, they actually knocked them down consistently.
From my perspective, the key difference came down to bench production. San Miguel's second unit outscored Meralco's reserves 42-28, with Terrence Romeo providing that explosive scoring punch off the bench that I felt was missing in their Game 3 loss. When your bench gives you that kind of production, it allows your starters to stay fresh for crunch time. Meralco's starters logged heavy minutes, and I could see the fatigue setting in during their defensive rotations in the fourth quarter.
What really sealed the game, in my opinion, was San Miguel's ability to capitalize on Meralco's mistakes. They scored 24 points off turnovers compared to Meralco's 14, and those easy transition baskets proved crucial whenever Meralco threatened to make a run. I've always believed that championship teams don't just create their own opportunities - they punish opponents for every single mistake. Tonight, San Miguel demonstrated that championship DNA that has made them so successful in recent years.
The series now shifts to a critical Game 5 with San Miguel holding a 3-1 advantage. Based on what I've seen throughout my career covering the PBA, closing out a resilient team like Meralco won't be easy. They showed tremendous heart in their comeback attempt tonight, and they'll undoubtedly come out fighting in the next game. But with the way San Miguel executed down the stretch tonight - making their free throws, getting key defensive stops, and managing the clock efficiently - I have to favor the Beermen to wrap up this series sooner rather than later. Their performance in Game 4 demonstrated why they remain the team to beat in the Philippine Cup, and unless Meralco can find answers for San Miguel's balanced attack, we might be looking at another championship celebration in the near future.
