Watching Raymond Kean being stretchered off the court during Game 2 was one of those moments that just sticks with you. I’ve covered dozens of playoff series over the years, but there’s something uniquely powerful about seeing a teammate’s reaction to adversity—especially when it becomes fuel for the rest of the squad. Kean’s injury, as unfortunate as it was, seems to have lit a fire under the SMB players. One of them even mentioned afterward, "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 kind of emotional shift can completely reshape a series, and tonight’s Game 3 might just hinge on that very sentiment.
From a tactical standpoint, both teams have clear adjustments to make. SMB’s defense tightened significantly in the second half of Game 2, limiting Meralco to just 42% shooting from the field after halftime. But Meralco isn’t going to back down—they’ve got their own weapons, like Chris Newsome, who dropped 28 points in their last outing. Personally, I think SMB’s resilience will give them the edge, especially if they channel that emotional surge from Kean’s absence into disciplined, high-energy plays. I’ve always believed that playoff basketball isn’t just about X’s and O’s; it’s about which team wants it more when the stakes are sky-high. And right now, SMB looks hungrier.
Meralco, on the other hand, can’t afford to let momentum slip. They shot 38% from beyond the arc in Game 2, but their bench production was lacking—only 18 points compared to SMB’s 32. If they don’t find scoring from role players tonight, I suspect they’ll struggle to keep pace. I’ve seen this story before: one team rides an emotional high, the other tries to match it but falls just short. Still, Meralco’s coach is a savvy strategist. Don’t be surprised if they come out with a more aggressive defensive scheme, maybe even throwing a full-court press early to disrupt SMB’s rhythm.
What fascinates me most, though, is how these intangibles play out on the court. Kean’s injury isn’t just a talking point—it’s a psychological pivot. In my experience covering the league, moments like these often define a series. Remember the 2019 finals? A key player went down, and his team rallied to win three straight. I see a similar energy here. SMB’s ball movement improved dramatically in the fourth quarter of Game 2, with 12 assists in that period alone. If they maintain that unselfishness, they’ll be tough to beat.
Of course, stats only tell part of the story. The crowd, the pressure, the sheer will to win—it all blends into what makes playoff basketball so compelling. I’m leaning toward SMB taking tonight’s game, maybe by a margin of 6-8 points. They’ve shown they can elevate when it matters, and with Kean’s spirit looming over the court, I expect a passionate, focused performance. But let’s not count Meralco out just yet. This is do-or-die energy, and both teams know what’s on the line. One thing’s for sure: whoever wins tonight doesn’t just take the series lead—they seize control of the narrative. And in playoff basketball, that’s everything.