Find Out the PBA Game 4 Final Score and Key Highlights That Decided the Championship

As I settled into my couch with some popcorn, ready to witness what could potentially be the final game of this thrilling PBA championship series, I couldn't help but feel the electric anticipation. Having followed basketball for over fifteen years, both as a fan and an analyst, I've learned to recognize when a game is building toward something special - and Game 4 had that unmistakable energy from the opening tip-off. The championship hung in the balance, with both teams understanding that tonight's result would likely determine who'd be lifting the trophy.

What unfolded was nothing short of spectacular, a back-and-forth battle that kept fans on the edge of their seats until the final buzzer sounded. The final score read 98-95, a margin that doesn't fully capture how intensely contested every possession was throughout the forty minutes of play. I've always believed that championships aren't necessarily won by the star players alone but by those unexpected contributors who rise to the occasion when it matters most. Tonight proved that theory correct once again, with Jericho Cruz delivering what I'd consider the performance of his career. The man was absolutely sensational, pouring in 20 points with a combination of clutch three-pointers and aggressive drives to the basket that consistently broke the opponent's defensive schemes. His scoring bursts in the second and third quarters, in my view, were what prevented the game from slipping away during those critical moments when the opposition was building momentum.

While Cruz's offensive explosion provided the fireworks, what truly impressed me was how multiple players contributed in complementary ways. Marcio Lassiter, the veteran sharpshooter, added 15 crucial points and grabbed 5 rebounds, showing the kind of two-way effectiveness that championship teams desperately need. His experience and poise during the fourth quarter, especially when the game was tied at 89-89 with just three minutes remaining, demonstrated why seasoned players are so valuable in high-pressure situations. Then there was the big man duo operating under difficult circumstances - June Mar Fajardo recorded a solid double-double with 13 points and 13 rebounds, while Mo Tautuaa provided physical interior presence despite both playing with four fouls throughout the entire second half. Honestly, I was skeptical about whether they could maintain their defensive intensity without fouling out, but their discipline in those final two quarters was remarkable.

The turning point, from my perspective, came with about six minutes left in the game when Cruz hit back-to-back three-pointers to extend what had been a narrow two-point lead to a more comfortable eight-point cushion. Those shots seemed to deflate the opposing team's spirit just enough to create the separation that would ultimately prove decisive. Basketball is often about momentum swings, and that sequence felt like the moment where the championship truly shifted in favor of the eventual winners. I've seen countless games where teams fail to capitalize on such opportunities, but tonight's performance showed a champion's mentality - recognizing the moment and seizing it emphatically.

Looking back at the complete picture, what decided this championship wasn't just one spectacular performance but the collective effort of role players stepping up when needed most. The 20 points from Cruz, the 15 points and 5 rebounds from Lassiter, the double-double from Fajardo despite foul trouble - these weren't just statistics but crucial contributions that filled specific needs throughout the game. Having analyzed basketball for years, I've come to appreciate how championships are often won through these complementary efforts rather than individual brilliance alone. The final score of 98-95 will go into the record books, but the story of how various players rose to the occasion at different moments is what makes this victory so compelling. This game reminded me why I fell in love with basketball - it's the ultimate team sport where everyone has a role, and when each person fulfills theirs perfectly, the result is something truly special to witness.