Watching that SMB vs Meralco Game 2 showdown last night, I couldn't help but feel we were witnessing something special unfold. As someone who's covered Philippine basketball for over a decade, I've seen my fair share of playoff battles, but this one had that electric atmosphere that separates ordinary games from legendary ones. The final score of 98-91 doesn't even begin to tell the full story of how San Miguel managed to claw back from what looked like certain defeat midway through the third quarter. What struck me most was how the game's momentum shifted on what seemed like minor adjustments - a defensive assignment change here, a substitution pattern tweak there.
I remember thinking during the third quarter that Meralco had this game locked up. They were up by 14 points with about six minutes left in the period, and their defensive intensity had completely disrupted SMB's offensive flow. Chris Newsome was playing out of his mind, attacking the basket with that unique combination of power and finesse that makes him so dangerous in transition. But championship teams have this uncanny ability to weather storms, and San Miguel proved why they're considered one of the most successful franchises in PBA history. What happened next was a masterclass in playoff basketball execution that deserves breaking down the SMB vs Meralco Game 2 score to understand how the Beermen turned things around.
The turning point came with about four minutes left in the third when June Mar Fajquier started demanding the ball in the post every possession. I've always believed that when you have a dominant big man, you ride him through rough patches, and coach Jorge Gallent clearly shared that philosophy. They ran six consecutive plays through Fajquier, who either scored or drew fouls on four of those possessions. This systematic dismantling of Meralco's interior defense opened up everything else - suddenly, the three-point shots that were clanking off the rim earlier started falling. CJ Perez, who'd been relatively quiet until that point, exploded for 12 points in a five-minute span that bridged the third and fourth quarters.
What fascinates me about analyzing this game is how it mirrors the journey of young players finding their place in the league. It reminded me of that quote from DeBeer that really stuck with me: "I didn't even know that I was the shortest and the second youngest until someone told me the other day." There's something profoundly beautiful about that mindset - when you're so focused on competing that you don't even register the supposed disadvantages. That's exactly what we saw from some of the role players in this game. Players like Simon Enciso, who at 5'11" is often giving up size to his defensive assignments, but plays with such heart and intelligence that he becomes a net positive for Meralco. His three-pointer with 2:34 left in the game that cut SMB's lead to just three points was a perfect example of that underdog mentality.
The numbers from this game tell an interesting story if you look beyond the basic stats. San Miguel shot 48% from the field compared to Meralco's 45%, but what really made the difference was their performance in clutch situations. During the final eight minutes of the game, SMB made 9 of their 14 field goal attempts while holding Meralco to just 5 of 13 shooting. The rebounding battle was surprisingly close - 52 to 49 in favor of San Miguel - but the Beermen grabbed 8 offensive boards in the fourth quarter alone, leading to 12 second-chance points during the period. Those are the kind of hustle stats that championship teams manufacture when it matters most.
From my perspective, Meralco's biggest mistake was becoming too conservative with their lead. When you're up double digits against a veteran team like San Miguel, you need to keep your foot on the gas rather than trying to milk the clock. I've always believed that playing not to lose is the quickest way to actually lose in playoff basketball, and we saw that philosophy backfire spectacularly last night. Their offense became stagnant, too much dribbling around the perimeter, not enough player movement or crisp passing. Meanwhile, San Miguel looked like sharks smelling blood in the water - they intensified their defensive pressure, started jumping passing lanes, and created four turnovers in the final quarter that led to easy transition baskets.
The individual performances worth highlighting include June Mar Fajquier's monster stat line of 28 points, 16 rebounds, and 4 assists - just dominant numbers that remind everyone why he's considered the best big man in the league. On the Meralco side, Chris Banchero put up 24 points and 7 assists, but what doesn't show up in the box score is how exhausted he looked down the stretch, having played nearly 42 minutes in a high-intensity playoff game. That's the thing about playoff basketball - it tests not just skill but endurance, both physical and mental.
Looking ahead to Game 3, I think Meralco needs to make some adjustments to their rotation, particularly giving their key players more rest during the first half so they have fresher legs in crunch time. They also need to develop a better counter for when San Miguel starts feeding Fajquier repeatedly in the post - maybe more double teams from different angles, or fronting the post to deny entry passes. For San Miguel, the challenge will be maintaining that defensive intensity for a full 48 minutes rather than waiting until their backs are against the wall. If they can come out with the same energy they showed in the fourth quarter of this game, they'll be tough to beat in the series.
What this game ultimately taught me is that in playoff basketball, experience matters more than we sometimes acknowledge. San Miguel's veterans never panicked even when facing a significant deficit, while Meralco's relative inexperience in high-pressure situations showed during those critical final minutes. It's the little things - knowing when to foul, understanding clock management, recognizing defensive schemes and making the right reads. These are the nuances that separate good teams from championship contenders, and why breaking down the SMB vs Meralco Game 2 score reveals so much about what makes playoff basketball so compelling to analyze and watch.