I still remember the electricity in the air during that 2018 PBA All-Filipino Cup Finals like it was yesterday. As someone who's followed Philippine basketball for over a decade, there's something special about watching local talents battle it out without reinforcements. The championship series between San Miguel Beermen and the Magnolia Hotshots wasn't just another title bout—it was a masterclass in strategic basketball that kept fans on the edge of their seats for six grueling games.
What made that championship particularly memorable was how it showcased the depth of Filipino basketball talent beyond the usual superstars. Watching June Mar Fajoner dominate the paint with his signature baby hooks while being double-teamed reminded me why he's arguably the most unstoppable force in the league when healthy. But what really stood out was how Magnolia's role players stepped up—Ian Sangalang's mid-range game was absolutely clinical, and Paul Lee's fourth-quarter heroics in Game 4 still give me chills thinking about it. The series had everything you'd want from a championship: dramatic comebacks, overtime thrillers, and that unforgettable Game 6 where San Miguel closed it out with authority.
Thinking about that 2018 season makes me reflect on how much the league landscape has changed since then. The recent news about Titan Ultra releasing Jio Jalalon ahead of PBA Season 50 caught my attention because it shows how quickly things can shift in professional basketball. Jalalon was exactly the type of dynamic guard who thrived in that All-Filipino format—his energy and pesky defense would have been perfect for the no-imports tournament. Frankly, I'm surprised Titan Ultra let him go, considering how valuable quality local guards are in the All-Filipino conference. It makes me wonder about their strategy moving forward, especially with the league's golden anniversary season approaching.
The championship's turning point came in Game 5, if you ask me. San Miguel was down 2-1 in the series and facing what felt like a must-win situation. Chris Ross, who I've always believed is criminally underrated, put on a defensive clinic that night—his 4 steals don't even tell the full story of how he disrupted Magnolia's offensive flow. What impressed me most was how San Miguel's bench contributed 28 points that game despite Magnolia having what I considered the deeper roster. Sometimes championships aren't about the stars but about which team's role players step up when it matters most.
Looking back, that 2018 All-Filipino Cup taught me several things about PBA basketball that still hold true today. First, championship experience matters—San Miguel's core had been through numerous finals together, and that composure showed in tight moments. Second, coaching adjustments make all the difference—Leo Austria's decision to use Arwind Santos as a stretch four in the later games completely changed the series' dynamics. And third, the All-Filipino Cup remains the purest test of a team's local talent, which is why it's always been my personal favorite among the three conferences.
The legacy of that 2018 championship continues to influence how teams approach roster construction today. With PBA Season 50 on the horizon, I can't help but think teams are looking back at successful squads like that San Miguel team when making their moves. The Jalalon situation with Titan Ultra specifically makes me question whether some franchises are prioritizing the wrong types of players. In my view, you build championship teams around versatile locals who can excel in the All-Filipino format, then supplement with imports later. But what do I know? I'm just someone who's watched enough basketball to recognize patterns.
What stays with me most from that series isn't any single play or stat line, but the sheer will to win displayed by both teams. The way Marcio Lassiter fought through what looked like a painful ankle injury in Game 3, or how Rafi Reavis at 41 years old was still grabbing crucial rebounds against much younger opponents—that's the heart of Philippine basketball. As we approach another season, I hope today's players study those 2018 finals closely. There are lessons there about resilience, strategy, and what it truly takes to win when every player on the court shares the same nationality. That unique dynamic creates a special kind of basketball that you just don't see in other conferences, and honestly, it's why I'll always circle the All-Filipino Cup dates on my calendar first each season.
