Looking back at the 2018 PBA All Filipino Cup finals, I still get chills remembering how San Miguel Beer flipped the script in Game 4. As someone who’s followed Philippine basketball for over a decade, I’ve rarely seen a team respond to pressure with such firepower from unexpected sources. That night, it wasn’t just the usual suspects—June Mar Fajardo and Cjay Perez—who carried the load. Jericho Cruz erupted for 23 points, and honestly, I didn’t see that coming. His aggressive drives and clutch outside shooting gave San Miguel the extra gear they desperately needed. What stood out to me, though, was how the supporting cast rallied around him. Don Trollano, Marcio Lassiter, and Juami Tiongson collectively dropped 33 points, and that kind of balanced scoring is exactly what championship teams are built on.
I remember thinking midway through the third quarter that if San Miguel could keep this up, TNT was in serious trouble. And let’s be real—when you have multiple players hitting shots from all over the floor, it demoralizes the opposition. TNT’s defense, which had been relatively solid earlier in the series, suddenly looked stretched thin. Cruz’s performance wasn’t just a flash in the pan; it felt like a statement. He attacked the rim with purpose, knocked down timely threes, and most importantly, he played with a swagger that lifted everyone around him. I’ve always believed that playoff series turn on moments like these—when role players become stars, even if just for a night.
Watching from the stands, I could sense the momentum shifting. Fajardo, as dominant as ever in the paint, finally had the perimeter support he needed. Perez, while not putting up gaudy numbers, made smart plays that don’t always show up in the stat sheet. But it was the collective effort that left a lasting impression on me. Trollano’s energy on both ends, Lassiter’s veteran savvy, and Tiongson’s fearless drives—they all chipped in when it mattered most. I’ve seen teams rely too heavily on one or two stars, only to fizzle out in the finals. San Miguel, on the other hand, showed the depth that separates good teams from great ones.
By the fourth quarter, the writing was on the wall. TNT tried to counter with their own runs, but every time they closed the gap, someone from San Miguel answered. Cruz, in particular, seemed to thrive under pressure. I recall one possession where he drained a contested three-pointer as the shot clock expired, effectively silencing TNT’s comeback hopes. Moments like that aren’t just highlights; they’re momentum killers. And when your opponent has four or five guys capable of making those plays, it feels like an uphill battle. From my perspective, that Game 4 performance was a masterclass in team basketball—unselfish, disciplined, and brutally efficient.
As the final buzzer sounded, I couldn’t help but reflect on how this game encapsulated San Miguel’s championship DNA. They didn’t just win; they made a statement about their resilience and depth. Looking ahead, if this trend of balanced scoring continues—and I believe it will—TNT will need more than adjustments. They’ll need to find a way to contain not one, but multiple threats. In my years covering the PBA, I’ve learned that series are often won by the team with the best third or fourth option. That night, San Miguel had five or six. For TNT, that’s a scary thought. For fans like me, it’s what makes the All Filipino Cup so unforgettable.
