Watching Ginebra and San Miguel battle through Game 4 felt like witnessing a classic heavyweight title fight—one where momentum swung wildly and individual brilliance decided the outcome. As someone who’s covered basketball for over a decade, I’ve come to appreciate how certain sequences, sometimes just two or three plays, can tilt an entire series. This game was no exception. Both teams came in with clear strategies, but in the end, it was execution under pressure that separated them. Interestingly, this reminded me of the current situation in another league—the PVL, where Kobe Shinwa and Chery Tiggo are tied with 2-1 records and two games left. That kind of neck-and-neck competition mirrors what we saw here: small margins making all the difference.
Early on, San Miguel looked sharp, moving the ball with purpose and building a 12-point lead by the second quarter. I’ve always admired their ball movement—it’s crisp, unselfish, and often demoralizing for opponents. But Ginebra, true to their never-say-die identity, didn’t panic. They chipped away, and by the fourth quarter, the game was tied at 78-all with just under five minutes left. That’s when things got really interesting. One play that stood out to me was Scottie Thompson’s steal and coast-to-coast layup with 3:42 on the clock. Thompson, who finished with 18 points and 9 rebounds, read the passing lane perfectly—something he’s done all season. It wasn’t just the points; it was the timing. That play gave Ginebra their first lead since the opening minutes, and you could feel the energy shift in the arena.
Then came what I believe was the turning point: June Mar Fajardo’s missed hook shot followed by a defensive breakdown that led to a wide-open three from LA Tenorio. Fajardo, a six-time MVP, is usually automatic in the paint, but this time, he rushed it. Tenorio, who shot 40% from beyond the arc this conference, didn’t hesitate. That sequence stretched the lead to five, and San Miguel never fully recovered. I’ve seen Fajardo dominate in similar situations, so that miss was surprising—almost as surprising as seeing Kobe Shinwa drop a set recently despite their strong 2-1 record. It shows that even the best have off moments, and in high-stakes games, those moments get magnified.
Another key moment was Christian Standhardinger’s and-one basket with under two minutes left. He’d been relatively quiet until then, but he attacked the rim with ferocity, drawing the foul and completing the three-point play. That put Ginebra up by seven, and at that point, I felt the game was decided. Standhardinger’s energy has always been contagious, and his 22 points and 11 rebounds were huge. Compare that to San Miguel’s Marcio Lassiter, who went 2-for-8 from three-point range—well below his season average of 38%. Those missed opportunities add up, and in a game decided by just six points, every possession counted.
What fascinates me about games like this is how they echo across different leagues. Take the PVL, for example. Kobe Shinwa and Chery Tiggo both hold 2-1 records with two games left, meaning every set, every rotation, could determine who advances. It’s the same principle here: Ginebra made the key plays when it mattered, while San Miguel faltered in crunch time. Personally, I think Ginebra’s bench depth made a difference—they outscored San Miguel’s reserves 28-14, which is massive in a playoff setting. I’ve always believed that role players win championships, and tonight, they proved it.
Looking back, I’d say Ginebra’s defensive adjustments in the second half were the unsung hero. They switched more aggressively on screens and forced San Miguel into tough shots. On offense, they exploited mismatches, particularly when Fajardo was caught in isolation situations. It wasn’t flawless—Ginebra turned the ball over 15 times, which is higher than their average—but they compensated with heart and hustle. As a fan of the game, I love seeing that kind of resilience. It’s what makes playoff basketball so compelling. In the end, Ginebra’s 95-89 victory wasn’t just about scoring; it was about making the right plays at the right time. And as we’ve seen with teams like Kobe Shinwa and Chery Tiggo, that’s what separates contenders from champions.