I still remember the tension in the arena that night – the electric atmosphere that only a PBA quarterfinals game can generate. As someone who's followed Philippine basketball for over a decade, I've witnessed countless battles between these two giants, but Game 2 of this series felt different from the opening tip-off. The stakes were higher than usual, especially for TNT Tropang Giga's newly appointed head coach Johnedel Cardel, who had just secured his first victory as Titan Ultra head coach in Game 1. Walking into Game 2, I couldn't help but wonder if he could maintain that momentum against the seasoned San Miguel Beermen.
From where I was sitting courtside, the first quarter unfolded like a masterclass in offensive basketball. TNT came out swinging with an intensity I haven't seen from them in months. RR Pogoy was absolutely sensational, hitting three consecutive three-pointers in the first five minutes – that's 9 points in under 300 seconds for those keeping count. His shooting form looked cleaner than I've ever seen it, each release smoother than the last. Meanwhile, San Miguel seemed to be struggling to find their rhythm, with June Mar Fajardo getting double-teamed every time he touched the ball near the paint. The Beermen's offense looked disjointed, and I noticed coach Jorge Gallent's growing frustration on the sidelines as TNT built an early 15-point lead.
What impressed me most during that second quarter was how Cardel's coaching philosophy was translating to on-court execution. Having watched his career evolve from player to coach, I can confidently say this might be his best coaching performance yet. His decision to start Mikey Williams alongside Pogoy created spacing that San Miguel simply couldn't handle. The ball movement was crisp – TNT recorded 18 assists in the first half alone, which is remarkable considering they averaged only 22 per game throughout the conference. Defensively, they were switching everything, disrupting San Miguel's signature pick-and-roll plays that have tormented opponents all season. I've always believed defense wins championships, and TNT was proving that theory correct possession after possession.
The third quarter brought the comeback attempt we all expected from the mighty San Miguel. CJ Perez finally woke up, scoring 12 points in the period and showing why he's considered one of the most explosive guards in the league. His drives to the basket were relentless, drawing fouls and getting to the line six times in just that quarter. But every time San Miguel threatened to close the gap, TNT had an answer. Kelly Williams, at 41 years young, made two crucial blocks that had the entire arena on its feet. I've followed Kelly's career since his UAAP days, and seeing him still perform at this level makes me emotional – it's a testament to his incredible work ethic and basketball IQ.
As we moved into the final period, the game tightened up considerably. San Miguel's experience in clutch situations began to show, with Marcio Lassiter hitting two big threes to cut the lead to just four points with three minutes remaining. This is where coaching decisions make or break games, and Cardel's timeout management proved exceptional. He called two critical timeouts that stalled San Miguel's momentum and drew up plays that resulted in easy baskets. One particular inbound play with 1:23 left on the clock was pure genius – a backdoor cut that led to an uncontested layup. Those are the moments that separate good coaches from great ones, and Cardel is rapidly establishing himself in the latter category.
When the final buzzer sounded, TNT emerged victorious 98-92, but the scoreline doesn't fully capture their dominance. They controlled the tempo for approximately 85% of the game, outrebounded San Miguel 48-42, and shot 45% from beyond the arc compared to San Miguel's 32%. These numbers tell a story of a team executing their game plan to near perfection. From my perspective, what made this victory particularly impressive was how TNT responded to every San Miguel run. Championship teams have that killer instinct to withstand pressure, and TNT displayed that quality repeatedly throughout the contest.
Looking back at the entire game, I'm convinced this performance signals a shift in the PBA landscape. Cardel has instilled a new identity in this TNT squad – they play with a freedom and confidence that we haven't seen in previous conferences. While San Miguel certainly has the talent to bounce back in Game 3, they'll need to make significant adjustments, particularly in how they defend TNT's perimeter game. As for TNT, if they maintain this level of play, I genuinely believe they have what it takes to not just win this series but potentially claim the championship. The quarterfinals are often where champions are forged, and based on what I witnessed in Game 2, TNT is being tempered into something special.