2025-11-14 10:00

I still remember walking into the San Miguel Corp. gym in Pasig City last season, completely by chance stumbling upon what appeared to be a Barangay Ginebra practice session. There was Greg Slaughter visiting with coach Tim Cone, and the atmosphere felt both intense and strangely intimate - a perfect metaphor for how these PBA teams operate behind the scenes. That memory came rushing back as I watched Game 5 of the SMB vs Converge series unfold, realizing how much of what happens in those practice sessions translates directly to these high-stakes moments.

The final score of 112-108 doesn't even begin to tell the full story of this game. San Miguel Beermen managed to pull ahead in this crucial matchup, but my goodness, Converge FiberXers made them work for every single point. What struck me most was how the game swung back and forth - there were at least 7 lead changes in the fourth quarter alone, which is almost unheard of in playoff basketball at this level. I've been watching PBA games for over fifteen years now, and I can count on one hand the number of games that had this much back-and-forth action in the final period.

June Mar Fajardo put up what I'd consider one of his most complete performances in recent memory - 28 points, 15 rebounds, and what really impressed me were his 4 assists. People often underestimate his passing ability, but when he's facilitating from the post like he did tonight, San Miguel becomes nearly impossible to defend. Meanwhile, CJ Perez added 24 points, but what the stat sheet won't show you is how his defensive pressure in the second half completely changed Converge's offensive rhythm. There was this one possession with about three minutes left where he fought through two screens and still managed to contest a three-pointer - that's the kind of effort that championship teams are built on.

On the Converge side, I have to give massive credit to Jamaal Franklin, who finished with 35 points despite facing constant double teams. His shooting percentage might not look spectacular at 12-28 from the field, but what those numbers don't capture is how many difficult shots he had to take because San Miguel's defense was so focused on stopping him. There was a stretch in the third quarter where he scored 12 straight points, and I found myself thinking this might be one of those legendary individual performances that carries an underdog to victory.

The turning point came with about 1:42 left on the clock, when San Miguel was clinging to a two-point lead. Marcio Lassiter, who had been relatively quiet all game, hit a corner three that essentially sealed the victory. What made that play special wasn't just the shot itself, but the execution leading up to it - the ball movement, the screen action, everything was perfectly synchronized. That's the kind of play you see teams work on during those practice sessions, and when it translates to game situations like this, you can really appreciate the months of preparation behind it.

I noticed San Miguel's bench contributed 38 points compared to Converge's 22, and that depth advantage proved crucial down the stretch. When your second unit can maintain or extend leads, it allows your starters to get those precious extra minutes of rest. Coach Jorge Gallent made some brilliant rotational decisions, particularly in how he managed Fajardo's minutes to keep him fresh for the final push.

The game also highlighted some fascinating tactical adjustments from both coaching staffs. San Miguel clearly made a conscious effort to attack the paint early, scoring 52 points in the painted area compared to Converge's 38. Meanwhile, Converge's strategy of pushing the pace resulted in 18 fast break points, though I wonder if they might have been better served slowing things down occasionally to set up their half-court offense more effectively.

From my perspective, what made this game truly special was how both teams refused to buckle under pressure. There were multiple moments where either team could have folded - when San Miguel went up by 9 early in the fourth, or when Converge tied it with under three minutes left. But both squads showed tremendous heart, which is what you want to see in a playoff series. Personally, I think San Miguel's experience in these high-pressure situations ultimately made the difference, particularly in their shot selection during the final two minutes.

Looking at the bigger picture, this game demonstrated why the PBA remains one of the most exciting basketball leagues in Asia. The skill level, the coaching strategies, the sheer passion on display - it's what keeps fans like me coming back season after season. While I try to maintain professional objectivity, I'll admit I've always had a soft spot for teams that play with the kind of grit and determination both teams showed tonight.

As the series moves forward, I'm particularly interested to see how Converge adjusts their defensive schemes against Fajardo, and whether San Miguel can maintain their three-point shooting efficiency after hitting 14 of 32 attempts from beyond the arc. If there's one thing this game taught us, it's that practice court preparation truly matters when the lights are brightest and the stakes are highest. The teams that execute those practiced plays under pressure are the ones who advance, and based on what I saw tonight, both squads have plenty more basketball wisdom to showcase before this series concludes.