Walking back onto the court after a long hiatus always carries a mix of excitement and pressure, and that’s exactly what I felt watching San Miguel and Magnolia face off in their latest matchup. As someone who’s followed the PBA for years, I’ve always been fascinated by how games unfold quarter by quarter—it’s where the real story lies, beyond the final score. This game was no exception. The veteran player’s post-game comment, “It’s good to be back on the floor,” followed by his honest admission, “Hindi lang maganda siyalamo, natalo kami,” really struck a chord with me. It’s that blend of personal relief and team disappointment that makes analyzing each quarter so compelling. Let’s dive into how this game played out, breaking down the score per quarter and what it tells us about both teams’ strategies, strengths, and, frankly, where they slipped up.
Right from the tip-off, San Miguel came out with an intensity that Magnolia seemed unprepared for. The first quarter ended 28–20 in San Miguel’s favor, and honestly, I wasn’t surprised. They were moving the ball beautifully, with June Mar Fajardo dominating the paint—he scored 10 points in that quarter alone. Magnolia, on the other hand, looked a bit rusty, especially on defense. I’ve always believed that the first quarter sets the tone, and here, San Miguel’s aggressive start gave them a psychological edge. Magnolia’s guards were struggling to contain the pick-and-roll plays, and it showed in the stats: they allowed San Miguel to shoot 55% from the field. Watching this, I couldn’t help but think that Magnolia’s slow start would haunt them later. It’s one of those things where if you don’t match your opponent’s energy early, you’re playing catch-up all game.
The second quarter was where things got interesting, and personally, I think this was the turning point. Magnolia clawed back, outscoring San Miguel 24–22, but it wasn’t enough to close the gap significantly. Paul Lee stepped up with some clutch three-pointers, finishing the half with 15 points, and I have to say, his performance was a highlight for me. He’s always been a player who thrives under pressure, and here, he kept Magnolia in the game when they could’ve easily folded. San Miguel, though, seemed to take their foot off the gas a bit. Their bench rotation felt disjointed, and they committed 5 turnovers in this quarter alone. From my experience, that’s a classic case of a team getting complacent with a lead. The halftime score stood at 50–44, and while San Miguel still led, you could sense the momentum shifting. Magnolia’s adjustments on defense started paying off, but I felt they missed opportunities by not attacking the rim more aggressively.
Coming out of halftime, the third quarter was a defensive battle, and honestly, it was my favorite part of the game. San Miguel tightened up, holding Magnolia to just 18 points while scoring 25 themselves. Fajardo continued to be a force, grabbing 8 rebounds in this quarter, and I’ve always admired how he controls the game without always needing to score. Magnolia, however, struggled with their outside shooting, going 2-for-10 from beyond the arc. As a fan of disciplined basketball, I appreciated San Miguel’s ability to lock down when it mattered, but Magnolia’s lack of offensive creativity was frustrating to watch. They relied too heavily on isolations, which played right into San Miguel’s hands. By the end of the third, the score was 75–62, and at that point, I thought the game was pretty much decided. It’s moments like these where you see the importance of halftime adjustments—or the lack thereof.
The fourth quarter was where emotions ran high, and Magnolia made a valiant effort to rally, outscoring San Miguel 26–22. Lee and Ian Sangalang combined for 18 points in this period, and for a moment, I thought they might pull off a comeback. But San Miguel’s experience shone through; they hit critical free throws and managed the clock like veterans. CJ Perez, in particular, was clutch with 8 points in the final minutes, and I’ve always been a fan of his ability to perform in crunch time. However, Magnolia’s late surge wasn’t enough, and the game ended 97–88. Reflecting on that veteran player’s words, “It’s good to be back on the floor,” I think it captures the bittersweet nature of this game for Magnolia. They showed heart but ultimately fell short due to early missteps. From an analytical perspective, San Miguel’s consistency across quarters—scoring in the high 20s in three of them—was the difference. If I had to pinpoint one thing, it’s that Magnolia’s defense in the first and third quarters let them down, and in a game of inches, that’s often what separates winners from losers.
In wrapping up, this quarter-by-quarter breakdown reveals so much more than the final score. San Miguel’s ability to start strong and respond in the third quarter highlights their championship pedigree, while Magnolia’s resilience in the second and fourth shows they’re a team that never gives up. As someone who’s analyzed countless games, I lean toward valuing strong starts—they build confidence and force opponents into tough spots. That said, Magnolia’s late fightback gives me hope for their next outings. If they can address their slow starts and improve their three-point shooting, they’ll be a force to reckon with. For San Miguel, maintaining this level of play will be key as the conference progresses. All in all, games like this remind me why I love basketball—the ebb and flow, the individual brilliance, and the team dynamics all come together in those 48 minutes. And as that veteran player reminded us, even in defeat, there’s something special about being back on the floor.
