Watching Magnolia and San Miguel Beer battle it out in Game 4 felt like witnessing a modern-day classic—the kind of game you’ll tell your kids about someday. I’ve covered dozens of playoff series in my career, but this one had a special intensity, almost like the stakes were bigger than just a single win. It reminded me of that famous line about Floyd Mayweather being "the mother of all rematches"—because honestly, this matchup is starting to feel like the PBA’s equivalent. Both teams came in with something to prove, and neither was willing to give an inch.
From the opening tip, you could tell Magnolia had adjusted their defensive schemes. They held San Miguel to just 38% shooting in the first half, a stat that doesn’t happen by accident. I’ve always believed defense wins championships, and Magnolia’s rotations were crisp, almost choreographed. On the offensive end, though, it was Paul Lee who stole the show. The guy dropped 28 points, including five three-pointers, and when he’s in that kind of rhythm, there are very few defenders who can slow him down. I’ve followed his career since his collegiate days, and nights like this remind you why he’s one of the most clutch performers in the league. San Miguel, for their part, leaned heavily on June Mar Fajardo—as they should. The big man put up 24 points and 15 rebounds, yet even his dominance felt somehow contained by Magnolia’s persistent double-teams.
What stood out to me, beyond the stats, was the emotional rollercoaster of the fourth quarter. With about five minutes left, San Miguel clawed back from a 12-point deficit, and for a moment, I thought we were headed to overtime. But then Magnolia’s veteran composure shone through. They executed in the half-court, moved the ball patiently, and didn’t settle for tough shots. It’s the kind of maturity you see in teams that have been through the fire together. I’ll admit, I’ve been critical of Magnolia’s late-game execution in the past, but tonight they proved me wrong. On the flip side, San Miguel’s reliance on isolations down the stretch cost them—they seemed to forget they have one of the best passing big men in the game.
When you step back and look at the bigger picture, this series is shaping up to be exactly what fans hoped for: a back-and-forth war with no clear favorite. It’s like that idea of a Floyd Mayweather rematch—you know it’s going to be technical, dramatic, and impossible to look away from. Personally, I give Magnolia a slight edge because of their defensive versatility, but you can’t count out a team with Fajardo. If they keep this energy up, we might be talking about this series for years. For now, though, Game 4 will be remembered as the night Magnolia showed they’re not just contenders—they’re here to make history.