Tonight’s Game 3 between SMB and Meralco is one of those matchups that just feels bigger than basketball. I’ve been covering this series closely, and honestly, the energy around this game is electric. Both teams are locked in a 1-1 tie, and whoever takes this one will have a massive psychological edge moving forward. I remember watching last season’s playoffs, and momentum swings like this often decide the whole series. So, how do you approach a game like this? Let me walk you through what I think both teams need to do—and what I’d do if I were in their shoes.
First off, let’s talk about mindset. In high-stakes games, it’s easy to get caught up in the pressure, but the teams that thrive are the ones that channel emotion into focus. I was really struck by what one of the players said after Game 2: “When I was watching him (Kean) getting stretchered off the court, it was also like a motivation and a sign for us to step up.” That moment—seeing a teammate go down—can either break you or fuel you. For SMB, they’ve got to use that kind of emotion without letting it overwhelm their game plan. I’ve seen teams get so fired up that they start forcing plays, turning the ball over unnecessarily. My advice? Acknowledge the emotion, but stick to the system. Run your sets, move the ball, and trust your conditioning. Meralco, on the other hand, needs to stay disciplined. They can’t afford to get drawn into SMB’s emotional highs and lows. I’d tell them to focus on defensive communication—calling out screens, switching efficiently, and limiting second-chance points. From what I’ve observed, Meralco tends to lose focus in the third quarter, giving up an average of 28 points in that period during this series. They need to tighten up there.
Now, strategy-wise, both teams have clear strengths. SMB’s half-court offense is a thing of beauty when it’s clicking. They’ve got shooters who can knock down threes at a 38% clip, and their bigs are relentless on the boards. But here’s the thing—they sometimes fall in love with the three-ball and forget to attack the paint. I’d mix it up more: drive, kick out, and then maybe hit a cutter for an easy two. Meralco, though, has the speed to disrupt that. Their transition game is where they shine; they average around 18 fast-break points per game. If I were coaching Meralco, I’d push the pace every chance I get, especially after defensive stops. Force SMB to play at a tempo they’re not comfortable with. And defensively, Meralco should double-team SMB’s primary scorer early to test their ball movement. I’ve noticed SMB tends to get stagnant if their star is locked down.
When it comes to adjustments, it’s all about the little things. Rebounding, for instance—SMB out-rebounded Meralco by 12 in Game 2, and that was a huge factor. But Meralco can counter by boxing out more aggressively and sending guards to crash the boards. Personally, I think bench production will be the X-factor. SMB’s second unit has been inconsistent, scoring only 22 points in Game 1 but exploding for 35 in Game 2. If I were SMB, I’d give my bench more minutes early to keep the starters fresh for the fourth quarter. For Meralco, their bench needs to step up defensively; they allowed too many open looks last game. Oh, and free throws—don’t even get me started. SMB shot 75% from the line in Game 2, which is decent, but in a close game, every point counts. I’d have them running free-throw drills until it’s muscle memory.
As we look ahead to tip-off, I can’t help but lean slightly toward SMB, mainly because of their experience in clutch moments. They’ve been here before, and players like June Mar Fajardo know how to close out games. But Meralco is hungry, and if they can capitalize on SMB’s occasional lapses, they could easily steal this. Ultimately, tonight’s SMB vs Meralco Game 3 will come down to who executes under pressure and who lets the moment get to them. I’ll be watching with bated breath, and if you take anything from this, remember: in games like these, it’s not just about skill—it’s about heart. And as that player said, sometimes a setback like Kean’s injury can be the very thing that pushes a team to rise up. Let’s see who does it tonight.