Breaking Down the SMB vs Meralco Game 2 Score and Key Plays That Decided the Match
Watching that Game 2 battle between San Miguel Beer and Meralco felt like witnessing two heavyweight boxers refusing to go down. I’ve covered my fair share of PBA games, but this one had that special playoff intensity where every possession felt like it could tilt the series. The final score—SMB 95, Meralco 92—doesn’t even begin to capture the emotional rollercoaster of those last five minutes. What stood out to me wasn’t just the star power of June Mar Fajardo or Chris Newsome’s clutch genes, but how the game swung on a handful of critical plays that revealed both teams’ character under pressure.
Let’s rewind a bit. Coming into this match, San Miguel had narrowly taken Game 1, but Meralco looked sharper early in Game 2, controlling the pace and exploiting transition opportunities. By halftime, the Bolts were up by 7, and I remember thinking how their defensive energy was disrupting SMB’s half-court sets. But championship teams like San Miguel don’t panic—they adjust. And boy, did they ever. The third quarter became a grind, with both teams trading baskets but neither able to pull away. It was the kind of chess match that makes playoff basketball so compelling.
Then came the fourth quarter, where the game truly turned. With about six minutes left and Meralco clinging to a three-point lead, Chris Banchero drained a contested three that felt like a potential dagger. But what followed was a stunning 10-2 run by SMB, fueled by offensive rebounds and second-chance points. The Beermen grabbed four offensive boards in that stretch alone—hustle plays that don’t always show up in highlight reels but absolutely break an opponent’s spirit. I’ve always believed that rebounding wins close games, and this was a textbook example.
One moment that stuck with me was CJ Perez stripping the ball from Allein Maliksi near midcourt and finishing with a layup that put SMB up by four with under two minutes to go. Perez finished with 18 points, but that steal was pure instinct—the kind of play that separates good defenders from game-changers. On the other side, Meralco’s Bong Quinto kept them alive with timely drives, ending the night with 16 points and 5 assists. But as a unit, the Bolts seemed to run out of gas in crunch time, missing three straight field goals when they desperately needed a bucket.
Breaking down the SMB vs Meralco Game 2 score and key plays that decided the match, you realize how much little things add up. San Miguel’s bench outscored Meralco’s 28-18, and their ability to rotate fresh legs clearly made a difference down the stretch. June Mar Fajardo was his usual dominant self with 22 points and 14 rebounds, but it was the supporting cast—like Vic Manuel’s eight-point burst in the third—that provided the extra push. Meralco, meanwhile, relied heavily on their starters, with Newsome and Banchero combining for 42 points but looking visibly fatigued in the final minutes.
It’s funny how sports can surprise you. Sometimes it’s the unsung heroes or the unexpected contributors who swing a game. It reminded me of something rising star DeBeer once said in an interview: “I didn’t even know that I was the shortest and the second youngest until someone told me the other day.” That mindset—playing fearlessly without overthinking your limitations—is what I saw in some of SMB’s role players tonight. They didn’t seem burdened by the moment; they just played.
From where I sat, Meralco’s biggest misstep was their half-court execution in the last three minutes. They settled for too many perimeter shots instead of attacking the rim, and against a defensive anchor like Fajardo, that’s a risky strategy. On the other hand, SMB’s ball movement in clutch situations was crisp—they assisted on 7 of their last 10 field goals. I’ve always admired teams that trust the pass, and tonight, that unselfishness paid off for the Beermen.
Looking ahead, Meralco has to find a way to match SMB’s depth if they want to extend this series. They can’t expect Newsome and Banchero to carry the load every night. For San Miguel, maintaining this level of defensive focus will be key—they forced 14 turnovers tonight, converting them into 18 points. If they keep that up, they’ll be tough to beat. Personally, I’m excited to see how both teams adjust in Game 3. Playoff series are like dramatic novels, and this one is just getting to the good part.