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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 someone who's followed Philippine basketball for over a decade, I've seen my share of thrilling matchups, but this one felt different from the start. The crowd was buzzing, and both teams looked razor-sharp during warm-ups. Then came the unexpected twist that would shape the entire game: just moments before tip-off, team officials pulled aside Smith, San Miguel's highly-touted import, to deliver some troubling news. Smith later admitted how devastating that timing was—having just arrived, full of adrenaline, only to be hit with a personal setback right as the game was about to begin. I've always believed that basketball is as much a mental game as a physical one, and seeing Smith's initial reaction, I knew San Miguel was in for an uphill battle.

The first quarter unfolded with Ginebra taking immediate control, capitalizing on what seemed like a distracted San Miguel squad. Smith, usually a dominant force in the paint, appeared out of sync—missing easy layups and struggling to find her rhythm. By the end of the first half, Ginebra had built a comfortable 15-point lead, with Scottie Thompson putting on an absolute clinic with his playmaking. I've always admired Thompson's ability to read the game, and tonight he was simply unstoppable, finishing with 18 points, 12 assists, and 8 rebounds—just shy of a triple-double. Meanwhile, June Mar Fajardo tried to carry San Miguel on his broad shoulders, putting up 24 points and 14 rebounds, but it wasn't enough to close the gap. What struck me most was how Smith's early disruption seemed to ripple through the entire San Miguel lineup—their usual crisp ball movement became hesitant, and defensive rotations were a step slow all night.

As the game progressed into the third quarter, I noticed Ginebra's coach Tim Cone making strategic adjustments that really showcased why he's considered one of the best in the business. He deployed a full-court press that completely disrupted San Miguel's offensive flow, forcing 8 turnovers in the quarter alone. Christian Standhardinger was particularly impressive during this stretch, using his physicality to dominate inside and finishing with 22 points on 60% shooting. While San Miguel managed to cut the lead to single digits briefly in the fourth quarter, Ginebra's depth proved too much to overcome. Their bench outscored San Miguel's 42-28, with Stanley Pringle providing a crucial spark with 16 points in just 22 minutes of play. From where I was sitting, it was clear that Ginebra's team chemistry and mental preparation gave them the edge in this 98-87 victory.

Reflecting on the game, I can't help but feel that San Miguel's loss stemmed as much from that pre-game disruption as from anything that happened on the court. Smith finished with respectable numbers—19 points and 11 rebounds—but anyone who's watched her play knows she's capable of so much more when she's fully focused. The timing of that news delivery clearly affected her performance and, by extension, the entire team's morale. Meanwhile, Ginebra demonstrated why they remain championship contenders, showing tremendous discipline and capitalizing on their opponent's vulnerability. As a longtime PBA fan, I believe this game will be remembered not just for the final score, but for how it highlighted the importance of mental preparation in professional sports. Both teams now head into the next phase of the season with valuable lessons—Ginebra with reinforced confidence in their system, and San Miguel with the understanding that even the most talented rosters need proper psychological support to perform at their best.