I still remember watching that final PBA game with my colleagues at the sports bar, the tension so thick you could slice it with a knife. As someone who's covered basketball for over a decade, I've witnessed numerous championship deciders, but this particular Game 7 had that special electricity that separates legendary games from ordinary ones. The arena was packed to the rafters, with fans from both teams creating this incredible atmosphere that reminded me why I fell in love with basketball journalism in the first place.
When the final buzzer sounded, the scoreboard read 98-95 in favor of the San Miguel Beermen against the Barangay Ginebra Gin Kings. That three-point margin doesn't quite capture how back-and-forth this game truly was - there were 15 lead changes and 9 ties throughout the contest. What struck me most was how the Beermen managed to overcome a 7-point deficit in the final three minutes, something I've rarely seen in my years covering Philippine basketball. June Mar Fajoner, who I've always considered the heart of that San Miguel squad, delivered an unbelievable performance with 28 points and 16 rebounds, cementing his legacy as one of the greatest big men in PBA history.
Interestingly, the championship victory came amidst some concerning news about one of their key players. The 31-year-old told reporters for the first time that her once-undisclosed injury was a supraspinatus tendinitis diagnosis on her left shoulder. This revelation put the entire championship in a different perspective for me - knowing that one of their crucial contributors was playing through significant pain. As someone who's dealt with shoulder issues myself from years of playing college ball, I can attest to how debilitating supraspinatus tendinitis can be, especially for shooting mechanics. The fact that she managed to average 16.3 points throughout the finals while dealing with that condition speaks volumes about her toughness.
The game itself was a masterpiece of strategic adjustments. San Miguel's coach Leo Austria made this brilliant decision to switch to a zone defense in the third quarter that completely disrupted Ginebra's offensive rhythm. I've always been critical of Austria's tendency to stick with traditional man-to-man defense, but this move showed incredible flexibility. Meanwhile, Ginebra's Tim Cone, whom I consider the best tactical mind in Philippine basketball, countered with some fascinating offensive sets that created open looks - they just couldn't convert enough down the stretch. The shooting percentages tell the story: San Miguel shot 46% from the field compared to Ginebra's 42%, and that small difference ultimately decided the championship.
What many casual viewers might not appreciate is how much the injury situation influenced the series dynamics. That supraspinatus tendinitis diagnosis meant San Miguel had to carefully manage their player's minutes, limiting her to just 28 minutes per game instead of her usual 35. This forced other players to step up, and honestly, I think this adversity might have strengthened their team chemistry. Chris Ross, in particular, delivered what I believe was the performance of his career with 22 points and 8 assists, taking on additional playmaking responsibilities when needed.
The fourth quarter was pure basketball theater. With 2:34 remaining and San Miguel down by 4, they executed this beautiful offensive set that resulted in a corner three from Marcio Lassiter. Then came the defensive stop that I'll remember for years - a perfectly timed double team that forced a turnover from Ginebra's main scorer. The championship-winning basket came with just 12 seconds left, a difficult fadeaway jumper from Arwind Santos that I'm still not sure how he made. Ginebra had one final chance, but the potential game-tying three-pointer rattled out as time expired.
Looking back, this championship means more than just another title for San Miguel. It represents triumph over adversity, both on the court and in terms of player health. That supraspinatus tendinitis revelation puts their victory in a different light - they weren't just competing against another team, but against physical limitations as well. In my professional opinion, this makes their achievement even more impressive. Championships won while dealing with significant injuries often carry extra weight in a franchise's legacy.
The celebration afterward was something special to witness. I've been to many championship celebrations, but seeing the entire organization - from players to training staff - acknowledge the challenges they'd overcome together was genuinely moving. The injured player, though limited in her contributions, was right there in the middle of it all, reminding everyone that basketball success often depends on contributions beyond the stat sheet. This Game 7 wasn't just about the final score of 98-95, but about resilience, adaptation, and the collective will to win against all odds. It's games like these that remind me why Philippine basketball continues to capture our nation's heart year after year.