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As I settled into my courtside seat for Game 2 of the PBA Finals between Barangay Ginebra and San Miguel Beermen, I couldn't help but reflect on that incredible Game 6 performance that brought us here. That 88-87 thriller wasn't just a basketball game—it was a masterpiece of determination that forced this historic Game 7, only the second in the storied Ginebra-SMB rivalry. The veteran guard from Ateneo, celebrating more than just his birthday, delivered what I consider one of the most clutch performances I've witnessed in my twenty years covering Philippine basketball.
The final score of Game 2—94-91 in favor of San Miguel—tells only part of the story. What the numbers don't reveal is how this game swung back and forth like a pendulum, with both teams trading blows in a contest that felt more like a chess match than a basketball game. I've analyzed hundreds of PBA finals throughout my career, but there's something special about this particular rivalry that elevates every possession to must-see basketball. The energy in the arena was electric, with Ginebra's "Never Say Die" spirit palpable in every corner of the stadium.
Looking at the quarter breakdown, San Miguel established early dominance with a 28-22 first quarter, shooting an impressive 54% from the field compared to Ginebra's 42%. Those six points would prove crucial later, though at the time it felt like both teams were still feeling each other out. June Mar Fajardo's presence in the paint was monumental—he finished with 24 points and 15 rebounds, dominating the interior in ways that reminded me why he's a six-time MVP. What surprised me though was Ginebra's resilience in the second quarter, where they outscored SMB 25-21 despite shooting struggles from beyond the arc.
The third quarter became the turning point that ultimately decided this contest. San Miguel's defensive adjustments limited Ginebra to just 18 points while putting up 26 of their own. I noticed coach Leo Austria made a crucial decision to switch to a zone defense that disrupted Ginebra's rhythm—a move I initially questioned but ultimately proved brilliant. Christian Standhardinger's mid-range game was working beautifully, and his 18 points came mostly during this critical stretch when Ginebra's defense seemed to lose its focus.
What impressed me most about Game 2 was how both teams managed crucial runs at different moments. San Miguel had that 10-2 run in the third quarter that gave them their largest lead of 12 points, but Ginebra answered with an 8-0 run early in the fourth that brought the crowd to its feet. Scottie Thompson's energy was infectious—he finished with 16 points, 9 rebounds, and 7 assists, just shy of what would have been a spectacular triple-double. His two three-pointers during that fourth-quarter rally were absolutely clutch, though I wish he had been more aggressive driving to the basket earlier in the game.
The final two minutes were a masterclass in end-game execution from both sides. San Miguel's ball movement resulted in several high-percentage shots, while Ginebra's defensive rotations were mostly sharp—except for that critical breakdown with 38 seconds left that allowed CJ Perez to hit what became the game-winning layup. Looking at the stats sheet afterward, I was struck by how evenly matched these teams were in most categories. Both teams had exactly 42 rebounds, similar assists numbers (22 for SMB, 20 for Ginebra), and nearly identical field goal percentages around 44%. The difference came down to three-point shooting—San Miguel hit 11 of their 32 attempts (34%) compared to Ginebra's 7 of 28 (25%). In a game decided by three points, those four additional three-pointers made all the difference.
Having covered this rivalry since its inception, I can confidently say this series is living up to its legendary status. The veteran guard from Ateneo I mentioned earlier—though he had a relatively quiet Game 2 with just 12 points—still made his presence felt with crucial defensive stops and leadership during timeouts. His Game 6 heroics created this opportunity, and while Game 2 didn't go Ginebra's way, the fight they showed makes me believe this series is far from over. The adjustments both coaches make before Game 3 will be fascinating to watch, particularly how Ginebra plans to counter San Miguel's three-point shooting while maintaining their interior presence.
As the final buzzer sounded, I found myself thinking about how these epic battles between Ginebra and San Miguel have come to define modern PBA basketball. The 94-91 final score reflects not just numbers on a board, but the heart, strategy, and sheer will both teams displayed throughout forty minutes of intense basketball. For San Miguel, this victory establishes crucial momentum, while Ginebra can take solace in knowing they were within striking distance despite not playing their best basketball. Personally, I can't wait to see how both teams respond in Game 3—if history has taught us anything, it's that this rivalry always delivers drama when we least expect it.