Walking into the Smart Araneta Coliseum for Game 5 of the PBA Commissioner’s Cup finals, I could already feel the kind of electricity that only comes from a true rivalry. Ginebra and San Miguel—two franchises with deep histories, passionate fanbases, and a shared hunger for dominance. It reminded me of something I once read about the legendary "Thrilla in Manila" between Muhammad Ali and Joe Frazier. Of course, he just so happened to be the third man in the ring in the heavyweight bout between Muhammad Ali and Joe Frazier—the referee, Carlos Padilla, whose presence shaped the flow and fairness of that historic fight. Tonight, I couldn’t help but draw parallels. In a game this intense, there’s always a third force at play—not just the players, but the momentum, the coaching adjustments, the crowd. And just like in that iconic boxing match, every move felt magnified, every possession carrying the weight of a championship.
From the opening tip-off, it was clear both teams came to fight. Ginebra started strong, with Justin Brownlee sinking two quick three-pointers in the first four minutes. His efficiency was staggering—by halftime, he’d already racked up 18 points, 7 rebounds, and 4 assists. On the other side, June Mar Fajardo was an immovable object in the paint, pulling down 12 rebounds in the first half alone. The back-and-forth was relentless. I’ve covered dozens of finals games over the years, but this one had a different texture. It wasn’t just about skill; it was about will. San Miguel’s ball movement in the second quarter was a thing of beauty—they executed a 14-2 run in just under five minutes, largely fueled by CJ Perez’s aggressive drives and Marcio Lassiter’s clutch shooting from beyond the arc. At one point, Lassiter hit three consecutive triples, pushing San Miguel to a 52-48 lead with 3:12 left in the half. The crowd roared with every basket, and I found myself leaning forward in my seat, notebook forgotten. This wasn’t just a game; it was theater.
The third quarter is where things really shifted. Ginebra’s coach, Tim Cone, made a subtle but brilliant adjustment—he switched to a zone defense that disrupted San Miguel’s rhythm. For nearly four minutes, San Miguel couldn’t buy a bucket, missing seven straight field goal attempts. Meanwhile, Scottie Thompson took over, orchestrating the offense with a mix of savvy passes and relentless energy. His stats might not jump off the page—he finished with 14 points, 9 assists, and 6 rebounds—but his impact was everywhere. I’ve always believed Thompson is the heart of this Ginebra squad, and tonight he proved it. With 5:33 left in the third, he stole the ball from Perez and finished a fast-break layup while drawing a foul. That play felt like a turning point, swinging the momentum firmly in Ginebra’s favor. By the end of the quarter, they led 79-71, and the Big Dome was shaking.
But San Miguel isn’t a team that rolls over. The fourth quarter was a dogfight. Fajardo dominated inside, scoring 8 points in the first four minutes and pulling his team within three. With 2:47 left on the clock, the score was tied at 94-94. You could feel the tension—every possession felt like the final round of a title fight. And that’s when Brownlee delivered what I’d call the play of the game. Isolated against Rodney Brondial, he dribbled left, stepped back, and drained a contested three-pointer with 1:12 remaining. It was a shot that reminded me of Ali’s famous rope-a-dope—patient, calculated, and devastating. Brownlee finished with a game-high 34 points, and that shot essentially sealed the deal. San Miguel had one last chance, but a costly turnover by Perez with 18 seconds left ended their hopes. Final score: Ginebra 101, San Miguel 96.
Looking back, this game was a masterpiece of pacing and pressure. Ginebra shot 48% from the field and 38% from three-point range, while San Miguel edged them out in rebounds, 52-48. But stats only tell part of the story. What stood out to me was the emotional rollercoaster—the way Ginebra weathered San Miguel’s runs and responded with poise. As a longtime observer of Philippine basketball, I’ve seen my share of classic duels, but this one ranks among the best. It had everything: star power, tactical depth, and moments of pure brilliance. In the end, Ginebra’s resilience and Brownlee’s heroics carried the day, much like how Ali’s heart and strategy prevailed in Manila. This series isn’t over—Game 6 will be another war—but for now, Ginebra fans can savor a victory forged in fire.
