I still remember watching that draft night back in Season 50, wondering where this promising young talent would land. Fast forward to tonight's Game 4 of the PBA Finals, and there he was - the very same player Rain or Shine had left unsigned, now making them regret that decision in the most dramatic fashion possible. The atmosphere here at the Smart Araneta Coliseum was absolutely electric as Ginebra secured a thrilling 98-95 victory over TNT to even the series at 2-2. What makes this victory particularly special isn't just the comeback or the clutch plays - it's seeing how a player deemed not good enough by one team has become instrumental for another championship contender.
The game started with TNT looking like they might run away with it early. They came out firing, building a 12-point lead by the end of the first quarter. Roger Pogoy was absolutely unconscious from beyond the arc, hitting four three-pointers in that opening period alone. I've been covering this league for over a decade, and I've rarely seen a team shoot that well in a finals environment. But what impressed me most was watching Ginebra's coaching staff keeping their players calm during that early storm. Coach Tim Cone's experience in these situations really showed - he didn't panic, didn't burn early timeouts, just trusted his veterans to weather the storm.
Speaking of veterans, let's talk about our unexpected hero tonight - the player Rain or Shine decided wasn't worth signing after drafting him 34th overall. I've always believed that draft position means very little once players actually hit the court, and tonight proved that beyond any doubt. He finished with 18 points, 7 rebounds, and 4 assists, but numbers don't tell the full story. His defensive intensity in the second quarter completely changed the game's momentum. There was this one possession where he switched onto Mikey Williams, forced him into a contested three, then sprinted the floor for a transition layup that brought the entire arena to its feet. Those are the kinds of plays that championship teams are built on.
The third quarter was where Ginebra really established their identity. They outscored TNT 28-19, largely through their trademark physical defense and dominance on the glass. They grabbed 14 offensive rebounds in that quarter alone - an absolutely staggering number that speaks to their hunger and determination. Justin Brownlee was his usual brilliant self, finishing with 24 points and 11 rebounds, but what stood out to me was how he trusted his teammates in crucial moments. There was this beautiful sequence where he passed up a decent look to find our former 34th pick wide open in the corner for a three that extended the lead to 7. That's championship basketball right there.
Now let's talk about the fourth quarter drama, because my goodness, this game had everything. TNT made their expected run, cutting what was once a 15-point lead down to just 2 with under a minute remaining. The tension in the building was palpable - you could feel every fan holding their breath with each possession. Jayson Castro, who's been so clutch throughout his career, hit a ridiculous step-back three over two defenders to make it 96-95 with 18 seconds left. I turned to my colleague and said, "This is exactly why we love this game."
But here's where the story gets really interesting. After Scottie Thompson split a pair of free throws to make it 97-95, TNT had one final chance to tie or win. They designed a play for Mikey Williams coming off a double screen, but our unexpected hero from the draft's second round stayed glued to him, forcing a difficult contested shot that rattled out. The basketball gods have a funny way of writing these narratives - the player nobody wanted making the game-winning defensive stop in the PBA Finals.
What this victory demonstrates, beyond the obvious importance of tying the series, is how player development and opportunity can transform careers. I've spoken with several team executives who passed on signing this player, and they all cited similar concerns about his shooting consistency and defensive awareness. Yet here he is, less than two seasons later, making crucial defensive plays in the finals. It makes you wonder how many other talents we're overlooking because they don't fit conventional molds or immediate needs.
The series now shifts to a best-of-three with all the momentum on Ginebra's side. They've solved TNT's defensive schemes, found unexpected contributions from their role players, and most importantly, demonstrated the mental toughness required to win championships. I'm particularly interested to see how TNT adjusts their defensive assignments - they can't keep leaving our surprise contributor open, as he's now shooting 42% from three in this series. Sometimes all a player needs is confidence and opportunity, and my goodness has he taken advantage of both.
Looking back at this game, I'm reminded why I fell in love with basketball in the first place. It's not just about the stars or the highlight plays - it's about these incredible human stories of redemption and second chances. That final defensive stand will be replayed for years to come, not just because it sealed a crucial victory, but because of everything it represents. The PBA has always been a league where heart and determination can overcome draft position and early career setbacks, and tonight we witnessed that truth in its purest form. This series now feels completely different than it did just 24 hours ago, and I have a feeling we haven't seen the last of our unlikely hero.