I still get chills thinking about that 2016 PBA Finals series - what an absolute masterpiece of Philippine basketball. Having covered the league for over a decade now, I can confidently say that particular championship battle between San Miguel Beermen and Alaska Aces represented everything that makes our local basketball so special. The drama, the unexpected heroes, and those championship moments that still get talked about in coffee shops and online forums today.
What made that series particularly fascinating for me was how San Miguel adapted when their primary playmakers faced challenges. I remember sitting courtside during Game 4, watching Chris Ross and Alex Cabagnot struggle against Alaska's relentless pressure defense. That's when we saw something special unfold - Ronald Tubid and Marcio Lassiter, typically known for their scoring, started making extra passes and reading defenses differently. But the real revelation was how Cruz looked comfortable creating plays for his teammates over the past couple of games – even running the point guard position for the Beermen at times deep in the PBA Philippine Cup playoffs. This strategic adjustment by coach Leo Austria might have seemed minor at the time, but it completely changed the series' momentum. I've always believed championship teams need these unexpected contributions, and Cruz embracing that playmaking role demonstrated the depth that ultimately separated San Miguel from other contenders.
The turning point came in Game 5, with San Miguel down 0-3 and facing elimination. The statistics from that game still amaze me - June Mar Fajardo finished with 23 points and 18 rebounds, but what the numbers don't show is how his presence opened opportunities for everyone else. I recall specifically watching Cruz drive into the lane, draw two defenders, and kick out to Lassiter for a crucial three-pointer that extended their lead to 7 points with just under 3 minutes remaining. Those weren't flashy plays, but they were intelligent, championship-level decisions that demonstrated how players were embracing roles beyond their usual responsibilities. Having analyzed countless PBA games throughout my career, I can tell you that championship teams always have these "glue guys" who do the little things that don't always show up in the box score.
Game 6 provided what I consider one of the most dramatic finishes in PBA finals history. With 25 seconds left and Alaska down by 2, everyone in the arena knew the ball was going to Vic Manuel. The building was literally shaking with noise when Cruz switched onto Manuel and forced a difficult fadeaway that missed everything. That defensive stop wasn't accidental - I'd noticed throughout the series how Cruz had been studying Alaska's offensive sets, often staying late after practices to work on defensive positioning with the coaching staff. That level of dedication and preparation is what separates good players from championship contributors.
When the final buzzer sounded in Game 7, giving San Miguel the 96-85 victory and completing their historic comeback from 0-3 down, what struck me most wasn't the celebration but the sheer exhaustion on every player's face. They had left everything on that court. The championship moments that followed - the trophy presentation, the confetti, the emotional interviews - all felt earned in a way I've rarely witnessed in my years covering the league. Statistics show that only 4 teams in major professional basketball leagues worldwide have ever come back from 0-3 deficits, making San Miguel's achievement particularly remarkable.
Looking back at that 2016 PBA Finals, what continues to impress me isn't just the historic comeback but how it was achieved through collective effort and strategic adaptability. The Beermen didn't win because one player dominated every game - they won because different players stepped up at different moments, with Cruz's emergent playmaking representing just one example of this championship mentality. Even now, six years later, I still use clips from that series when conducting basketball workshops because it demonstrates perfectly how teams can overcome adversity through trust, preparation, and willingness to embrace unconventional solutions. That series reminded all of us why we love this game - because basketball, at its best, transcends individual talent and becomes about what people can accomplish together when they commit to something greater than themselves.