As I sit down to write this piece, I can't help but reflect on how Philippine basketball has given us some of the most electrifying moments in sports history. The PBA continues to be the heartbeat of basketball in this nation, and today I want to share some insights about unforgettable games that still give me chills when I rewatch the highlights. Having followed the league for over a decade, I've developed a particular fondness for those edge-of-your-seat matchups that go into overtime - the kind where every possession feels like it could decide the entire outcome.
Let me take you back to August 25, 2013, when FEU squared off against University of the East in what would become an instant classic. The game stretched into double overtime, ultimately ending 98-94 in FEU's favor. What made this game truly special was Terrence Romeo's phenomenal 30-point performance. I remember watching that game live and thinking we were witnessing something historic - Romeo was simply unstoppable, hitting contested shots from everywhere on the court. His ability to create his own shot under pressure was something I haven't seen matched since, not even by some of today's top PBA scorers. The energy in the arena was absolutely electric, with fans from both sides riding every basket like it was the game-winner.
Then just a week later, on September 1, 2013, we were treated to another double-overtime thriller between UST and FEU. This time, Karim Abdul's dominant presence led UST to a nail-biting 79-78 victory. What struck me most about this game was how different it felt from the previous week's showdown - where Romeo's performance was all about offensive fireworks, Abdul's game was about sheer will and physical dominance in the paint. I've always preferred these kinds of gritty, defensive battles where every rebound matters and players literally leave everything on the court. Abdul's final stat line might not jump off the page like Romeo's 30 points, but anyone who watched that game knows his impact went far beyond the numbers.
These back-to-back double overtime games represent everything I love about Philippine basketball - the passion, the unpredictability, and the way stars can rise to the occasion when it matters most. In my years covering the sport, I've noticed that such tightly contested games tend to bring out the best in players, revealing their true character under pressure. Both these games featured lead changes that I'd estimate at around 15-20 times each, keeping fans guessing until the final buzzer. The emotional rollercoaster of these matchups is something that statistics alone can never fully capture - you had to be there to feel the tension building with each possession.
What makes these historical games particularly relevant today is how they set the standard for current PBA competitions. When I watch modern classics unfold, I can't help but measure them against these 2013 epics. The league has evolved in many ways since then - the pace is generally faster now, three-point shooting has become more emphasized, and player movement between teams has increased significantly. Yet the fundamental drama of two teams refusing to back down remains unchanged. I'd argue we're seeing slightly fewer of these marathon contests recently, with maybe only 2-3 double overtime games per season compared to what felt like 5-6 back in that 2013 period.
From a strategic perspective, these extended games test not just player endurance but coaching adaptability. Having spoken with several coaches over the years, I've learned that managing rotations and timeout strategies becomes exponentially more challenging when games stretch beyond regulation. The coaches in those 2013 games made adjustments I still reference when analyzing modern PBA tactics - particularly in how they managed their star players' minutes while keeping enough offensive firepower on the court. It's a delicate balancing act that separates good coaches from great ones.
As we look toward the current PBA season, I'm optimistic we'll see similar unforgettable moments. The league's talent pool has never been deeper, with both veteran stalwarts and exciting rookies capable of producing magic when the lights are brightest. While I don't have a crystal ball to predict which games will enter the history books, I'm keeping a particularly close eye on matchups between traditional rivals - those tend to produce the drama we basketball fans crave. If recent games are any indication, we might be in for another classic sooner rather than later.
Reflecting on these past classics while anticipating future thrillers reminds me why I fell in love with Philippine basketball in the first place. The PBA isn't just a league - it's a continuing story where each season adds new chapters to our collective basketball memory. Those 2013 double overtime games represent peaks in that narrative, moments frozen in time that we'll still be talking about years from now. As both a journalist and a fan, I feel privileged to have witnessed them and can't wait to see what new legends emerge from the hardcourt in the coming months.
