Watching Kean Baclaan being stretchered off the court was one of those moments that just stops your heart. I’ve covered dozens of games over the years, but seeing a young player go down like that—especially in a high-stakes match like San Miguel’s Game 3 face-off against Meralco—really hits differently. As Perez later put it, that moment wasn’t just a setback; it became a rallying cry. “When I was watching him getting stretchered off the court, it was also like a motivation and a sign for us to step up,” he shared post-game. And step up they did. What followed was a gritty, emotionally charged showdown that reminded everyone why playoff basketball in the PBA is simply unmatched.
San Miguel came into this game with their backs against the wall, trailing 1-2 in the series, and honestly, the energy in the first half felt shaky. Meralco’s defense was disruptive—they forced 8 turnovers in the first two quarters alone, and SMB’s three-point shooting was abysmal, hitting just 3 of 15 attempts before halftime. But then, the Baclaan incident happened. It’s fascinating, almost eerie, how a single moment can flip a team’s mentality. I’ve seen it before—injury scares either break a team or forge something stronger. For San Miguel, it was clearly the latter. Perez, June Mar Fajardo, and the rest of the veterans took over, not just with skill, but with sheer will. Perez finished with 28 points, 9 assists, and 5 rebounds—a stat line that doesn’t even capture his leadership down the stretch.
Meralco, to their credit, didn’t make it easy. Chris Newsome was electric, dropping 24 points and making crucial plays in transition. But what stood out to me was how SMB adjusted defensively in the second half. They switched more aggressively on screens, limited Meralco’s second-chance points to just 6 after halftime, and forced Allen Durham into tougher shots—he ended up shooting 42% from the field, below his usual efficiency. I’ve always believed defense wins these kinds of games, and San Miguel proved it again. They held Meralco to 18 points in the third quarter, which completely shifted the momentum.
Offensively, the ball movement in the fourth quarter was a thing of beauty. They tallied 12 assists as a team in that period alone, and Fajardo’s presence in the paint opened up so much for their shooters. Speaking of which, Marcio Lassiter finally found his rhythm, hitting 4 triples in the second half. As a longtime follower of this team, I’ve criticized their inconsistency from beyond the arc, but when it matters, they deliver. The final score, 98-92, doesn’t tell the full story—this was a game of runs, emotional swings, and tactical adjustments that could fill a coaching manual.
Looking ahead, this win doesn’t just tie the series; it gives San Miguel a psychological edge. Momentum in a best-of-seven is everything, and when a team digs deep like that, it builds character. I’d argue this could be the turning point. Meralco will regroup, no doubt, but SMB now has belief, momentum, and a reason to fight harder. Games like this are why I love covering the PBA—you just can’t script this kind of drama. If you missed it, find a replay. This wasn’t just a basketball game; it was a statement.