Breaking Down the SMB vs Magnolia Game 4 Score and Key Highlights

As I settled in to watch Game 4 between SMB and Magnolia, I couldn't help but feel this was more than just another playoff matchup. The final score of 94-85 in favor of San Miguel Beer tells only part of the story - what really fascinated me was seeing two Serbian coaches on opposing benches, especially knowing they'll soon be working together under Coach Dennis "Delta" Pineda with the FiberXers. That coaching dynamic added an extra layer of intrigue to every possession, every timeout adjustment.

What struck me immediately was how both teams came out executing with surgical precision in the first quarter. SMB's June Mar Fajardo demonstrated why he's a six-time MVP, scoring 8 points in the opening period alone while controlling the paint defensively. Magnolia's Paul Lee answered with 12 first-half points, including two crucial three-pointers that kept the Hotshots within striking distance. The halftime score of 48-42 felt deceptive - Magnolia was hanging around, but you could sense SMB had another gear they could shift into if needed. Personally, I thought Coach Chito Victolero's decision to stick with a smaller lineup for extended minutes would cost them on the glass, and the rebounding numbers proved me right - SMB finished with a 52-44 advantage that ultimately decided the game.

The third quarter became the CJ Perez show that I'd been waiting for all series. The speedy guard exploded for 15 of his game-high 28 points during this stretch, attacking the rim with that relentless energy that makes him so special to watch. What impressed me most wasn't just his scoring - his 4 steals during that quarter completely disrupted Magnolia's offensive rhythm. Meanwhile, Magnolia's import, Tyler Bey, struggled mightily, shooting just 5-of-16 from the field. I've always believed imports need to be more efficient in the PBA, and his performance reinforced that belief. The Hotshots shot a miserable 38% from the field overall - you simply can't win playoff games with numbers like that.

When SMB stretched their lead to 16 early in the fourth quarter, I thought we were looking at a blowout. But credit to Magnolia - they mounted a 12-2 run that had me on the edge of my seat. Jio Jalalon's back-to-back steals leading to fastbreak points cut the deficit to just 6 with 4:32 remaining. This is where championship experience matters, and SMB demonstrated exactly why they've won multiple titles. Their veterans maintained composure, running their sets patiently and getting high-percentage looks. Marcio Lassiter's corner three with 2:15 left essentially sealed the game, pushing the lead back to 9 and sucking the life out of Magnolia's comeback attempt.

Looking beyond the box score, what really stood out to me was the coaching chess match. Seeing those two Serbian assistants - who will soon be colleagues - making strategic adjustments against each other provided fascinating subtext. I noticed several instances where one would make a defensive adjustment, only to see the other counter it on the very next possession. This kind of high-level tactical battle is exactly what Philippine basketball needs more of. The fact that these coaches will be bringing this level of expertise to Coach Pineda's staff with the FiberXers makes me genuinely excited about the future of our local coaching landscape.

The game ultimately came down to SMB's ability to execute in crunch time and their dominance in the paint, where they outscored Magnolia 48-32. Fajardo finished with 22 points and 14 rebounds - typical dominant numbers from the big man. Perez added 6 assists to his 28 points, while Magnolia's Lee led his team with 24 points but received insufficient support. As I reflect on this series, I'm convinced SMB's depth and experience make them favorites to win it all, though I'd love to see Magnolia make some adjustments for the next game. The coaching evolution we're witnessing, highlighted by these Serbian mentors who'll soon collaborate under Coach Pineda, suggests Philippine basketball is heading in an exciting new direction that could elevate our entire league.