Walking into the Smart Araneta Coliseum for Game 5 of the PBA Commissioner’s Cup finals between Barangay Ginebra and San Miguel Beer, I felt that familiar buzz—the kind of electricity that only a true heavyweight clash can generate. It reminded me of the legendary third man in the ring during the Muhammad Ali vs. Joe Frazier "Thrilla in Manila," the one tasked with maintaining order while two giants traded blows. In many ways, this game had that same dynamic: two powerhouse teams, a legacy of rivalry, and moments where the entire series seemed to hang in the balance. As a longtime follower of Philippine basketball, I’ve always believed that Ginebra and San Miguel matchups transcend sport—they’re cultural events, and tonight was no exception.
From the opening tip-off, it was clear we were in for a battle. Justin Brownlee, Ginebra’s prolific import, came out firing, dropping 12 points in the first quarter alone. His mid-range jumper with 7:34 left set the tone, but San Miguel’s June Mar Fajardo—often dubbed the "Gentle Giant"—answered with a series of powerful post moves that had the crowd roaring. I’ve watched Fajardo for years, and what strikes me isn’t just his size but his footwork; it’s almost balletic. By halftime, he’d already notched a double-double with 16 points and 11 rebounds, while Brownlee kept Ginebra within striking distance at 42-38. The back-and-forth felt like Ali and Frazier trading rounds, each refusing to yield.
The third quarter, though—that’s where the game shifted. With 5:20 remaining, Scottie Thompson, one of my favorite players to watch, intercepted a lazy pass from CJ Perez and finished with a coast-to-coast layup that ignited a 10-2 run. Thompson’s energy is infectious; he’s the kind of player who doesn’t always show up in the stat sheet but changes the game’s rhythm. San Miguel, to their credit, didn’t fold. Marcio Lassiter hit back-to-back threes, and by the end of the period, the Beermen had clawed back to a slim 65-63 lead. I remember thinking how much this mirrored the Ali-Frazier rivalry: just when one fighter seemed to gain the upper hand, the other dug deep and responded.
Then came the fourth quarter—a masterclass in clutch performance. Brownlee took over, scoring 14 of his game-high 34 points in the final frame. His three-pointer with 2:11 left put Ginebra up 88-85, a shot that felt like a knockout punch. But San Miguel had one last push. Fajardo muscled in a put-back with under a minute to go, trimming the deficit to one. The tension was palpable; you could feel the entire arena holding its breath. In those moments, I’m always reminded of how sports can mirror life’s greatest dramas—the stakes, the emotions, the sheer unpredictability.
With 15 seconds on the clock, Ginebra’s veteran guard LA Tenorio—who’s been in these situations countless times—drew a foul and calmly sank both free throws. That sealed it. Final score: 90-87 in favor of Barangay Ginebra. Looking at the stat sheet, Brownlee’s 34 points, 9 rebounds, and 5 assists stood out, but it was Thompson’s all-around effort (12 points, 8 boards, 6 assists) that truly impressed me. On San Miguel’s side, Fajardo finished with 28 points and 15 rebounds, a monstrous performance in a losing effort.
Reflecting on the game, I can’t help but draw parallels to that third man in the ring during the Thrilla in Manila. In this case, the referees, the coaches, even the fans—we all played a part in shaping this epic. But what stands out to me is how these clashes reveal character. Ginebra showed resilience when it mattered most, while San Miguel’s fightback proved why they’re always contenders. As someone who’s covered the PBA for over a decade, I believe this series has already cemented itself as an instant classic. And with the way things are going, I wouldn’t be surprised if we see a Game 7 that goes down in history, much like Ali and Frazier’s final round. For now, though, Ginebra takes a 3-2 lead, and I’m already counting down the days until the next tip-off.
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