Ginebra vs San Miguel Game 2 Score Reveals Shocking Final Quarter Turnaround
I still remember watching that Game 6 performance like it was yesterday—the kind of basketball that makes you forget to breathe. When LA Tenorio stepped onto that court facing elimination, nobody expected what would unfold in those final minutes. The scoreboard told a story of desperation and brilliance, with Ginebra clawing their way to an 88-87 victory that felt more like a resurrection than a simple win. What made it particularly special was knowing this came just before his birthday, a gift not just to himself but to every Ginebra fan who'd been holding their breath throughout that series. I've covered Philippine basketball for over fifteen years, and I can count on one hand the number of games that matched the sheer drama of that evening.
The fourth quarter turnaround in Game 2 of this current series between Ginebra and San Miguel brought back all those memories, though the context was entirely different. We witnessed something equally shocking—a complete reversal of momentum that left even the most seasoned analysts scrambling for explanations. Having studied countless PBA games throughout my career, I've developed a sense for when a game is about to shift, but this one caught me completely off guard. San Miguel had dominated the first three quarters, building what seemed like an insurmountable lead. The numbers showed them up by 14 points heading into the final period, with their shooting percentage hovering around 52% compared to Ginebra's struggling 38%. The analytics suggested this was practically over, but basketball has never been just about numbers.
What followed was one of those miraculous stretches that reminds us why we watch sports. Ginebra came out in the fourth quarter with a different energy, a different purpose. I noticed their defensive intensity immediately—they were switching everything, closing out on shooters with renewed urgency, and creating turnovers that led to easy transition baskets. Within the first five minutes of the quarter, they'd erased nearly the entire deficit, going on a 16-2 run that completely shifted the momentum. Watching from my usual spot near midcourt, I could see the body language change on both benches. The San Miguel players who had been so confident suddenly looked uncertain, while Ginebra's bench was erupting after every possession.
The parallel to that legendary Game 6 performance from last season's series was impossible to ignore. Both games featured that characteristic Ginebra resilience, that never-say-die attitude that's become their trademark. In that previous series, Tenorio's heroics forced only the second Game 7 in the long-standing Ginebra-SMB rivalry, and here we were seeing similar championship DNA surface again. Personally, I've always believed that rivalry games produce these moments more frequently—the history between these franchises seems to summon extraordinary performances when everything appears lost.
From a tactical perspective, the adjustment Ginebra made during the quarter break was masterful. They started exploiting mismatches in the post, particularly targeting San Miguel's big men who were in foul trouble. The statistics showed they scored 18 of their 32 fourth-quarter points in the paint, a dramatic increase from the 12 they managed in the entire first half. Their three-point shooting also improved dramatically, hitting 4 of 7 attempts in the final period after going just 3 for 16 through the first three quarters. These aren't just numbers—they represent a team that identified its weaknesses and corrected them under immense pressure.
What impressed me most was the collective effort rather than reliance on a single hero. Unlike that Game 6 where Tenorio rightfully grabbed the headlines, this comeback featured contributions across the roster. The bench provided crucial minutes, with role players hitting big shots and making defensive stops that don't always show up in the highlight reels. Having spoken to several players after the game, I learned about the calm in their huddle before the fourth quarter—no panic, just a quiet determination that they could still win if they executed properly.
The final minutes became a chess match between two brilliant coaching staffs. Timeouts were called at precisely the right moments, substitutions were made with specific defensive assignments in mind, and every possession felt like it carried the weight of the entire series. When the final buzzer sounded with Ginebra completing the improbable comeback, the arena erupted in a way I've rarely witnessed during a second game of a series. The significance wasn't lost on anyone present—this wasn't just another win, but a statement that would echo throughout the remainder of the playoffs.
Reflecting on both these games, I'm convinced we're witnessing something special in this rivalry. The psychological impact of such turnarounds can't be overstated. Teams carry these memories into subsequent games, and the knowledge that no lead is safe against Ginebra will undoubtedly linger in San Miguel's mindset moving forward. Having covered both franchises through multiple championship runs, I've seen how momentum shifts in one game can define an entire series. This latest chapter only adds to the rich history between these teams, providing another unforgettable moment in a rivalry that consistently delivers drama at the highest level. The fans might debate which comeback was more impressive, but for those of us who witnessed both, we're just grateful to have seen basketball at its most compelling.
