As I sit down to analyze tonight's thrilling PBA matchup between TNT and Ginebra, I can't help but reflect on how quickly narratives shift in professional basketball. The final score shows TNT emerging victorious with a hard-fought 98-95 win over their longtime rivals, but what struck me most was witnessing coach Meneses' perspective shift firsthand. Having covered Philippine basketball for over a decade, I've seen how coaches handle both victories and defeats, but Meneses' approach tonight felt particularly insightful.
The game itself was an absolute rollercoaster - TNT started strong with a 28-22 first quarter lead, largely thanks to Mikey Williams' explosive shooting. He finished with 32 points, including six three-pointers that had the Smart Araneta Coliseum roaring. But Ginebra, true to their Never Say Die spirit, clawed back in the third quarter behind Justin Brownlee's all-around performance of 24 points, 11 rebounds, and 8 assists. The lead changed hands twelve times throughout the game, with neither team able to pull away significantly until the final minutes. What impressed me was how TNT's defense tightened when it mattered most, forcing three critical turnovers in the last two minutes that ultimately decided the contest.
Now here's where it gets really interesting from my perspective. During the post-game press conference, Meneses mentioned something that resonated deeply with me as someone who's studied coaching psychology. He specifically noted how both teams' previous losses - TNT's surprising defeat to Rain or Shine last week and Ginebra's overtime loss to Magnolia - had become irrelevant in the context of tonight's battle. Moving forward, neither one of those losses matters now for Meneses who celebrated his 43rd birthday in Iloilo with the rest of the team. This mindset fascinates me because it's something I've observed separates good coaches from great ones. The ability to compartmentalize, to celebrate small victories while learning from defeats without letting them define your team's identity - that's championship mentality right there.
From my experience covering the PBA, I've noticed that teams who dwell too much on past performances tend to carry that baggage into future games. What Meneses demonstrated tonight was masterful emotional intelligence. The fact that he could shift focus completely to celebrating with his team in Iloilo, using his birthday as a bonding opportunity rather than getting caught up in what-ifs, shows why he's become one of the most respected coaches in the league. Personally, I believe this approach will serve TNT well as they push toward the playoffs, especially considering they're currently sitting at third place in the standings with a 7-3 record.
The game's defining moment came with 38 seconds remaining when TNT's Roger Pogoy hit a contested three-pointer to put his team up by four. That shot essentially sealed the victory, though Ginebra had one last chance to tie with 5 seconds left. Scottie Thompson's three-point attempt rattled in and out, preserving TNT's hard-earned victory. Having watched countless TNT-Ginebra matchups over the years, I can confidently say this ranks among their most competitive encounters. The intensity felt playoff-level, which bodes well for both teams as they build momentum toward the postseason. What stays with me tonight isn't just the final score, but the demonstration of professional resilience that both teams displayed - particularly Meneses' philosophical approach to moving beyond past results. In this league, that mindset might just be the difference between a good season and a championship campaign.
