I still remember watching that game live, that moment when Raymond Kean went down clutching his knee. The arena went silent as medical staff rushed onto the court, and honestly, my heart sank. When they stretchered him off, you could feel the energy shift in the stadium. That's when Chris Newsome said something that's stuck with me ever since: "When I was watching him getting stretchered off the court, it was also like a motivation and a sign for us to step up." And step up they did - Meralco turned what looked like a devastating blow into fuel for an incredible comeback victory.
Looking at Game 3 tonight, I can't help but think that moment might have fundamentally changed this series. Before Kean's injury, San Miguel Beer looked like the clear favorites - they had the momentum, the deeper roster, and honestly, they were playing with that championship swagger we've come to expect from them. But sports have this funny way of rewriting scripts when you least expect it. Meralco's response to adversity showed me something I hadn't seen from them before - genuine grit and emotional resilience. They're not just playing for wins anymore; they're playing for their fallen teammate.
Let me break down what I'm seeing in this crucial Game 3. San Miguel still has the statistical edge - they're shooting about 47% from the field compared to Meralco's 42%, and their bench depth is frankly ridiculous. June Mar Fajardo is averaging 18.3 points and 11.2 rebounds this series, numbers that would make most coaches lose sleep. But here's where it gets interesting - Meralco has been winning the hustle battles. They're grabbing about 12 offensive rebounds per game compared to SMB's 9, and their transition defense has improved dramatically since Game 1.
What really convinces me about Meralco's chances tonight is the emotional factor. I've been covering Philippine basketball for over fifteen years, and I've seen how these moments can define a series. When a team rallies around an injured teammate, it creates this almost tangible energy that statistics can't measure. Newsome and Allein Maliksi have been playing with this fire in their eyes that tells me they're not ready to go home. They're combining for about 35 points per game, but more importantly, they're making those clutch plays when it matters most.
San Miguel can't afford to underestimate this transformed Meralco squad. Coach Jorge Gallent needs to find a way to counter Meralco's renewed defensive intensity, particularly their perimeter defense that's been holding SMB to just 28% from three-point range. If I'm coaching San Miguel, I'm telling my players to attack the paint early and often, force Meralco into foul trouble, and test whether their emotional high can survive the grind of playoff basketball.
Here's my prediction, and I know some might disagree - I'm taking Meralco to win Game 3 by 4-6 points. The odds might favor San Miguel on paper, but basketball isn't played on spreadsheets. That moment with Kean being stretchered off created something special in that Meralco locker room, and I've seen this story before. Teams playing with this kind of purpose often find ways to win games they're not supposed to. Look for Newsome to have a big night - I'm predicting he'll put up around 25 points with 7 assists, feeding off that emotional energy they've been carrying since Game 2. The key will be whether Meralco can maintain their defensive intensity for all four quarters against San Miguel's relentless offensive weapons. Either way, we're in for what promises to be another classic chapter in this incredible PBA Governors' Cup series.