As I sit here scrolling through the latest PBA updates, one matchup keeps popping up everywhere: the upcoming clash between Meralco Bolts and San Miguel Beermen. Honestly, I’ve lost count of how many times I’ve been asked, "Who will win the PBA Meralco vs San Miguel game?" It’s the question on every basketball fan’s mind right now, and having followed both teams for years, I’ve got some strong opinions about how this could play out.
Let me take you back to last season for a moment. San Miguel finished with a 9-2 record in the eliminations, dominating almost everyone in their path. They’ve got that championship DNA—you can see it in June Mar Fajardo’s post moves and CJ Perez’s explosive drives. But here’s the thing: Meralco isn’t just some underdog. They’ve been building something special, and with Chris Newsome leading the backcourt and Raymond Almazan holding down the paint, they’ve shown they can hang with the big boys. I remember watching their semifinal run last conference—they pushed San Miguel to the limit in two overtime thrillers, and honestly, they could’ve stolen those games if not for a couple of unlucky breaks.
Now, diving into the current scenario, both teams are dealing with different pressures. San Miguel, as always, is stacked. They’re the favorites, no doubt, but that brings its own baggage. Coach Jorge Gallent has to keep his squad from getting complacent, especially after their strong start. On the other hand, Meralco’s coach, Luigi Trillo, has been emphasizing consistency. I was reading an interview the other day where one of their key players, Cliff Hodge, echoed something similar to what assistant coach Manansala pointed out recently. Manansala stressed, “Kailangan muna din namin ayusin yung mindset namin na huwag maging relaxed throughout the season. Kasi may mga past season kami na dapat nandun kami sa one or two spots. So kailangan namin i-set na maging consistent kami the whole season and sana walang may injuries.” That mindset is huge—it’s about not letting past near-misses define them, and I think that’s where Meralco could surprise people. They’re hungry, and if they can stay injury-free, they’re a real threat.
From my perspective, this game will come down to a few key matchups. Fajardo vs Almazan in the paint—that’s a classic battle of strength versus agility. Almazan has the mobility to pull June Mar away from the basket, but if San Miguel’s big man gets deep position, it’s lights out. Then there’s the backcourt: Chris Newsome and Aaron Black for Meralco against CJ Perez and Marcio Lassiter. Perez is averaging around 18 points per game this season, and his defense has been underrated. But Newsome? He’s a clutch performer. I’ve seen him take over games in the fourth quarter, and if he gets hot, San Miguel’s defense could be in trouble.
What really fascinates me, though, is the coaching dynamic. Gallent has a wealth of experience, but Trillo’s adjustments in recent games have been sharp. In their last head-to-head, Meralco lost by just 5 points, 98-93, and that was with San Miguel hitting 12 three-pointers at a 40% clip. If Meralco can tighten up their perimeter defense—maybe drop that opponent three-point percentage to 30% or below—they’ve got a shot. Plus, let’s talk bench depth. San Miguel’s second unit, led by guys like Mo Tautuaa, can change the game, but Meralco’s reserves like Allein Maliksi have been stepping up. Maliksi dropped 20 points in their last win, and if he brings that energy off the bench, it could swing momentum.
I’ll be straight with you—I’m leaning slightly toward San Miguel for this one, but not by much. Call it 55-45 in their favor. Why? Because when the stakes are high, San Miguel’s veterans know how to close. But don’t sleep on Meralco. If they play with that focused mindset Manansala talked about—staying consistent and avoiding injuries—they could pull off an upset. Personally, I’d love to see that; there’s something about an underdog story that gets me every time. So, when people ask me, "Who will win the PBA Meralco vs San Miguel game?" I say tune in because this one’s going down to the wire. It might just be the game of the season, and I wouldn’t miss it for the world.
