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Walking into the Montalban venue that evening, I could already feel the electric tension in the air—the kind that only a PBA showdown between Ginebra and San Miguel can generate. As a longtime follower of Philippine basketball, I've witnessed countless clashes between these two giants, but this particular game promised something special. The final score of this PBA Ginebra vs San Miguel matchup would become one for the history books, though not necessarily for the reasons we expected.

I remember settling into my seat just as team officials were huddling nervously near the benches. What most fans didn't realize was the behind-the-scenes drama unfolding with one of the imports. Smith, reportedly one of the most sought-after imports in the league, had just received disappointing news moments after arriving. She later admitted feeling utterly let down when team officials informed her about the problem right there in the Montalban venue. This personal revelation adds such a human layer to what otherwise would be just another game statistic. It makes you wonder how much these off-court moments really affect the final outcome.

The game itself unfolded with that characteristic PBA intensity we've come to love. Ginebra came out strong in the first quarter, putting up 28 points against San Miguel's 22. I've always admired how Ginebra's coach utilizes his bench players—something I wish more teams would emulate. The second quarter saw San Miguel fighting back, with their star player scoring 12 points alone in that period. By halftime, the score stood at 52-48 in Ginebra's favor, but anyone who follows PBA knows that San Miguel is notorious for their second-half comebacks.

What struck me most during the third quarter was how Smith, despite the earlier disappointment, managed to contribute 8 points and 5 rebounds. That's professionalism right there—the ability to compartmentalize personal letdowns and perform when it matters. The game tightened considerably, with both teams trading baskets in a display of pure basketball artistry. With 3:42 left in the fourth quarter, the score was tied at 89-89, and the entire arena was on its feet.

The final minutes were absolutely chaotic in the best possible way. San Miguel's defense tightened, forcing two critical turnovers from Ginebra in the last 90 seconds. When the buzzer finally sounded, the final score read 98-94 in San Miguel's favor. Looking back at this PBA Ginebra vs San Miguel game, I can't help but feel that Smith's early disappointment might have subtly influenced the team's dynamics, even if just psychologically. The 4-point difference in the final score doesn't fully capture how evenly matched these teams were throughout the game. Both teams left everything on the court, but San Miguel's experience in clutch situations ultimately made the difference. This PBA Ginebra vs San Miguel final score will be debated among fans for weeks, but what remains undeniable is the sheer quality of basketball both teams displayed from start to finish.