Watching Kean being stretchered off the court during that intense third quarter was one of those moments that just sticks with you. I’ve been covering the PBA for years, and you don’t often see something so dramatic shift the energy of a game so completely. As one player later put it, "When I was watching him getting stretchered off the court, it was also like a motivation and a sign for us to step up." That’s exactly what happened—San Miguel Beermen visibly rallied, and you could feel the momentum tilt. It wasn’t just about tactics anymore; it became emotional. I remember thinking right then, this could be the turning point. And honestly, it was.
The game itself was a rollercoaster from tip-off. SMB came out strong, leading by as much as 12 points in the first half, but Meralco’s defense tightened up around the third quarter. They managed to cut the lead down to just 4 points with about 7 minutes left on the clock. Chris Newsome was absolutely relentless—I’ve always thought he’s one of the most underrated players in the league, and he showed why here, finishing with 28 points and 9 assists. On the other side, June Mar Fajardo was, well, June Mar Fajardo. He dominated the paint with 24 points and 14 rebounds, but what stood out to me was how the team adjusted after Kean’s exit. They didn’t just rely on their stars; role players like Marcio Lassiter stepped up big time, hitting crucial threes when it mattered.
Let’s talk about that fourth quarter, because that’s where the game was really decided. With around 3 minutes left, the score was tied at 98-all, and you could cut the tension with a knife. Meralco had a couple of fast-break opportunities but missed easy layups—I counted at least two that could’ve put them ahead. Meanwhile, SMB’s ball movement was crisp; they executed their half-court sets almost perfectly. CJ Perez, who ended with 20 points, drove to the basket and drew fouls like he was playing pickup at the local gym. It was smart, aggressive basketball. The final score, 108-100, doesn’t fully reflect how close it was until those last two minutes. SMB just had that extra gear, and I think a lot of it came from that emotional boost after seeing their teammate go down.
From a strategic standpoint, Meralco’s reliance on three-point shooting hurt them in the end. They shot 32% from beyond the arc, which isn’t terrible, but compared to SMB’s 45%, it made a difference. I’ve always believed that in high-stakes games like this, you need balance—you can’t just live and die by the three. SMB, on the other hand, attacked the rim consistently and got to the free-throw line 28 times, making 23 of them. That’s how you close out games. Defensively, Meralco’s switches were sometimes slow, and SMB exploited those mismatches, especially in the pick-and-roll. If I were coaching Meralco, I’d focus on fixing those communication gaps before Game 4.
Looking back, this SMB vs Meralco Game 3 wasn’t just about the final result or the key match analysis—it was a story of resilience. Kean’s injury was a heartbreaking moment, but it fueled San Miguel’s fire in a way I haven’t seen in a while. It reminded me why I love covering basketball: beyond the stats and strategies, it’s human moments like these that define a series. SMB now leads 2-1, and if they carry this energy forward, I’d bet on them taking the championship. But Meralco has shown they can adapt, so Game 4 is going to be must-watch basketball. For fans and analysts alike, this series just keeps giving.