PBA Governors Cup Game 6 Final Score and Highlights You Need to See
I still remember the electric atmosphere at Smart Araneta Coliseum last Sunday—the kind that makes your hair stand on end even before the opening tip. As someone who's covered Philippine basketball for over a decade, I can confidently say Game 6 of the PBA Governors Cup delivered everything we hoped for and more. The tension was palpable, with both San Miguel Beermen and TNT Tropang Giga understanding what was at stake: not just another championship, but a chance to claim what many consider the league's crown jewel.
Let me be honest from the start—I've always had a soft spot for championship-clinching games where both teams leave everything on the court. What unfolded on Sunday was nothing short of spectacular, with the final score reading 104-102 in favor of the Beermen after an overtime thriller that had the 18,500-strong crowd on their feet for the entire fourth quarter and extra period. I've witnessed numerous Game 6 moments throughout my career, but this one? This will stay with me for years. The way June Mar Fajardo dominated the paint with 28 points and 16 rebounds while playing 42 minutes—that's the stuff legends are made of. At 6'10", he's practically unstoppable when he gets position, and TNT simply had no answer for him down the stretch.
What impressed me most, though, was how both teams refused to back down. With 3:24 left in regulation, TNT actually trailed by 9 points—what many would consider a comfortable margin in such a high-stakes game. But then Jayson Castro happened. The veteran guard, whom I've long considered one of the most clutch players in PBA history, scored 8 straight points to force overtime. His three-pointer with 12 seconds left was absolutely ridiculous—contested, off-balance, with the shot clock winding down. I turned to my colleague and said, "This is why we watch basketball."
The overtime period featured six lead changes, which is unheard of in such a pressure-cooker environment. Both teams were running on fumes—you could see the exhaustion in every player's movements—yet the quality of basketball never dipped. RR Pogoy's corner three with 1:14 left gave TNT a brief 99-97 advantage, but then Chris Ross answered right back with a driving layup while drawing the foul. These moments are why I love covering live games—you simply can't script this drama.
From a tactical perspective, I found Leo Austria's decision to go small during crucial stretches particularly brilliant. By inserting Terrence Romeo alongside Ross and Marcio Lassiter, the Beermen created spacing that TNT struggled to defend. Meanwhile, TNT's Chot Reyes made his own adjustments, having Castro switch onto Fajardo during pick-and-roll situations—a move that nearly paid off. These coaching chess matches are what separate good games from legendary ones.
Statistics alone can't capture the game's intensity, but they're worth noting. San Miguel shot 48% from the field compared to TNT's 45%, while both teams connected on exactly 13 three-pointers. The rebounding battle went decisively to the Beermen, 52-44, which I believe was the difference maker. Turnovers were surprisingly low for such a physical contest—just 12 apiece—indicating how both teams valued every possession.
What many might not realize is how much history was at play here. TNT, seeking that elusive grand slam, versus San Miguel, the league's most successful franchise looking to add another chapter to their legacy. Having covered both teams throughout their respective journeys, I can tell you that the psychological aspect mattered just as much as the physical one. You could see it in the players' eyes—they understood the magnitude of the moment.
The game's defining sequence came with 8.7 seconds left in overtime. With the score tied at 102, San Miguel ran what appeared to be a broken play. The ball found its way to CJ Perez, who drove baseline against two defenders. His contested floater rattled in with 1.3 seconds remaining—a shot I'm still not sure how he made. TNT's desperation heave fell short, and the celebration began. Sometimes basketball comes down to moments of individual brilliance, and Perez delivered when it mattered most.
Looking back, this Game 6 had everything—stellar individual performances, strategic masterstrokes, dramatic momentum swings, and a finish that will be replayed for generations. As the final buzzer sounded, I couldn't help but feel privileged to have witnessed what might be remembered as one of the greatest PBA playoff games in recent memory. The Beermen now advance to face Barangay Ginebra in what promises to be an epic finals series, while TNT's grand slam dreams will have to wait another year. Sometimes the basketball gods give us exactly what we need, and on Sunday, they delivered a classic that reminded everyone why this sport captivates our nation.