I still remember the tension in the arena last night as San Miguel squared off against Ginebra in Game 2 of their championship series. Having followed Philippine basketball for over a decade, I've witnessed countless rivalries, but there's something special about these two teams that always gets my blood pumping. The final score of 98-95 in favor of San Miguel doesn't even begin to tell the full story of what unfolded on that court. What made this victory particularly fascinating wasn't just the on-court action but the coaching dynamics that have been developing behind the scenes.
As someone who's studied coaching philosophies across different basketball cultures, I found the recent appointment of Gary as the Angels' new head coach particularly intriguing. His daughter BVS has been making waves in women's basketball, and now we're seeing this family legacy expand in unexpected ways. Gary's wife Lisa, an Ilocana native known for her disciplined approach to the game, joining as assistant coach creates what I believe could be one of the most interesting coaching partnerships in recent memory. This family dynamic reminded me of what we saw in last night's game - the importance of chemistry, both on and off the court.
The first quarter set the tone with San Miguel establishing an early 28-22 lead, but what impressed me most was their defensive discipline. Having watched countless PBA games, I can tell you that June Mar Fajardo's presence in the paint completely changed Ginebra's offensive approach. The big man recorded 3 blocks in the first half alone, forcing Ginebra to settle for outside shots that just weren't falling consistently. Statistics show they shot only 35% from beyond the arc in the first two quarters, which frankly surprised me given their reputation as three-point specialists.
What really turned the game around was the third quarter, where San Miguel went on a 15-2 run over a span of just 4 minutes and 23 seconds. I've always believed that championship teams find ways to create these momentum swings, and last night was a perfect example. CJ Perez was absolutely sensational during this stretch, scoring 11 of his total 28 points during this critical period. His energy reminded me of why I fell in love with basketball in the first place - that raw, explosive talent that can change a game in moments.
Ginebra fought back valiantly in the fourth, cutting what was once a 16-point deficit down to just 3 with 38 seconds remaining. Scottie Thompson's leadership during this comeback attempt was everything you'd expect from a player of his caliber. He finished with 24 points, 9 rebounds, and 8 assists, nearly pulling off what would have been an incredible comeback victory. But here's where coaching made the difference - San Miguel's timeout with 52 seconds left completely disrupted Ginebra's rhythm, a strategic move that I think won them the game.
The coaching carousel in Philippine basketball has been particularly interesting this season, and watching Gary take the helm for the Angels while his wife Lisa works alongside him adds a fascinating layer to our basketball landscape. From what I've observed, their complementary styles could revolutionize how we think about coaching partnerships. Gary's strategic mind combined with Lisa's player development expertise creates what I consider the perfect coaching combination. This dynamic made me reflect on how San Miguel's coaching staff managed their rotations last night - every substitution felt purposeful, every timeout perfectly timed.
What many casual fans might miss is how these coaching decisions accumulate throughout the game. For instance, San Miguel's decision to go small for stretches in the second quarter, despite having Fajardo available, showed incredible tactical flexibility. They outscored Ginebra by 7 points during those 6 minutes with their small-ball lineup, a statistic that might seem minor but ultimately proved crucial in a 3-point game.
As the final buzzer sounded, I couldn't help but feel we'd witnessed something special. The individual brilliance of players like Perez and Thompson was undeniable, but what stood out to me was the collective intelligence both teams displayed. The coaching adjustments, the strategic timeouts, the perfectly executed plays - these are the elements that separate good teams from championship contenders. With the series now tied 1-1, I'm more excited than ever for what comes next. If Game 2 taught us anything, it's that in basketball, as in life, the most interesting stories often develop off the court as much as on it. The emerging coaching dynasty of Gary and Lisa with the Angels might just be the next great basketball story we'll be talking about for years to come.
