Watching the ultimate PBA Finals score unfold between Barangay Ginebra and San Miguel was nothing short of electrifying. As a longtime basketball analyst, I’ve seen my fair share of finals matchups, but this one had a unique intensity right from the opening tip-off. The final score, 98-95 in favor of Ginebra, doesn’t even begin to tell the whole story—it was a game of momentum swings, gritty defense, and moments of individual brilliance that kept fans on the edge of their seats. I remember thinking midway through the third quarter that San Miguel might pull away, but Ginebra’s resilience, especially in the paint, turned the tide when it mattered most.
One of the standout aspects of this Ginebra vs San Miguel clash was the battle in the frontcourt. San Miguel’s JP Erram, usually a reliable presence, seemed off his game, and his post-game comments really stuck with me. He mentioned, "Kaso, mali pa yata 'yung pagpilit kong ilaro," which translates to "Maybe it was wrong to force myself to play." As someone who’s followed Erram’s career, I could see the frustration in his performance—he shot just 3-for-12 from the field and grabbed only 6 rebounds in 28 minutes. He added, "Sama ng laro ko eh. Gusto ko lang makatulong para may extra body," meaning "My game was bad. I just wanted to help by providing an extra body." That honesty is rare and, in my view, highlights the pressure these athletes face, especially in a high-stakes finals environment. It’s not just about stats; it’s about the mental and physical toll, and Erram’s struggle definitely impacted San Miguel’s interior defense, allowing Ginebra to dominate second-chance points 18-9.
Moving to the backcourt, Ginebra’s backcourt duo was simply sensational. Scottie Thompson, in particular, put on a masterclass with 24 points, 10 assists, and 8 rebounds—just shy of a triple-double. I’ve always been a fan of his versatility, and in this game, he exploited San Miguel’s defensive lapses with ease. On the other side, San Miguel’s CJ Perez tried to carry the load, dropping 29 points, but it wasn’t enough to counter Ginebra’s balanced attack. What stood out to me was the three-point shooting; Ginebra hit 12 of their 32 attempts from beyond the arc, while San Miguel managed only 8 of 28. That discrepancy, in my opinion, was a key factor in the ultimate PBA Finals score swinging in Ginebra’s favor. I recall a crucial moment in the fourth quarter when Thompson drained a contested three-pointer to extend the lead to 5 points with under two minutes left—it felt like a dagger, and the crowd’s roar was deafening.
Digging deeper into the game highlights, the rebounding battle was another area where Ginebra excelled. They outrebounded San Miguel 48-42, with Christian Standhardinger pulling down 14 boards, including 5 on the offensive glass. As an analyst, I can’t overstate how important those extra possessions are in a close game. San Miguel, on the other hand, seemed to miss June Mar Fajardo’s usual dominance; he was limited to 12 points and 9 rebounds, which, for a player of his caliber, is below par. I think the coaching adjustments played a huge role here—Ginebra’s double-teams in the post forced San Miguel into tough shots, and their transition defense was nearly flawless, holding San Miguel to just 8 fast-break points.
Reflecting on the overall analysis, this Ginebra vs San Miguel showdown wasn’t just about the stars; role players stepped up in big ways. For instance, Ginebra’s Maverick Ahanmisi chipped in 15 points, mostly from timely drives and free throws. Meanwhile, San Miguel’s bench contributed only 20 points compared to Ginebra’s 32, which, in my view, exposed their lack of depth in critical moments. I’ve noticed this trend in past finals—teams with a deeper roster tend to handle pressure better, especially in a best-of-seven series. If I had to pinpoint one turning point, it was early in the third quarter when Ginebra went on a 10-0 run, capitalizing on turnovers and poor shot selection by San Miguel. That stretch, fueled by aggressive defense, set the tone for the remainder of the game.
Wrapping up my thoughts on the ultimate PBA Finals score, this game was a testament to Ginebra’s championship DNA. They’ve built a culture of resilience, and it showed in how they closed out the win. For San Miguel, despite the loss, there were positives—like Perez’s scoring outburst—but they’ll need to address their interior defense and bench production if they want to bounce back. As a fan, I’m already looking forward to the next matchup; rivalries like this are what make the PBA so thrilling. In the end, the 98-95 scoreline will be remembered not just for the numbers, but for the heart and hustle on display, proving once again why the Ginebra vs San Miguel finals are must-watch events for any basketball enthusiast.
