I still get chills thinking about that legendary PBA Finals 2016 Game 6 between Alaska Aces and San Miguel Beermen. Having covered Philippine basketball for over a decade, I've witnessed countless championship moments, but this particular game stands out as one of those rare contests where you could literally feel the momentum shifting like tectonic plates beneath the court. What made it especially fascinating was how the stakes mirrored what we often see in international competitions - much like how Gilas faced elimination scenarios in FIBA tournaments, where another defeat would knock them out of contention for the top spot in Group D, forcing them through the knockout qualification route.

The first half felt like Alaska's coronation ceremony. They came out swinging with this aggressive, almost desperate energy that had San Miguel looking completely disoriented. I remember watching June Mar Fajardo struggle against Alaska's double teams - they were holding him to just 8 points in the first two quarters, which for the Kraken was practically a statistical anomaly. The lead ballooned to 15 points at one stage, and from my seat near the Alaska bench, you could see the confidence radiating from their huddles. They were executing their game plan to perfection, moving the ball with this crisp precision that had San Miguel's defense constantly a step behind.

Then came the third quarter - my goodness, what a turnaround. It's one thing to witness a comeback, but another entirely to see a team transform before your eyes. San Miguel started playing with this controlled fury that reminded me of championship teams from the past. Alex Cabagnot, who finished with 22 points, began attacking the rim with purpose, while Chris Ross's defensive intensity created three crucial turnovers that completely shifted the game's rhythm. The most remarkable stat from that quarter? San Miguel outscored Alaska 31-18 while shooting 68% from the field - numbers that still astonish me when I look back at the box score.

What many casual fans might not realize is how much this game reflected the psychological warfare of basketball at its highest level. There's a parallel here with international play - when Gilas faces must-win situations, there's this palpable tension that either breaks teams or forges them into something greater. Similarly, watching San Miguel navigate that pressure cooker environment taught me more about championship mentality than any coaching clinic could. I've always believed that great teams find another gear when elimination stares them down, and San Miguel demonstrated this perfectly, mounting a 16-2 run that completely erased Alaska's psychological advantage.

The final minutes became an instant classic - the kind of basketball that makes you forget to breathe. With 1:42 remaining and San Miguel clinging to a 3-point lead, Cabagnot drained that ridiculous step-back three-pointer over three defenders. I remember turning to my colleague and saying, "That's the dagger right there." The statistics showed Alaska actually outrebounded San Miguel 48-42, but sometimes numbers don't capture the story - those final defensive stands by San Miguel were worth more than any rebound tally.

Looking back, this game represented more than just a championship clincher - it was a masterclass in resilience that even Gilas could learn from when facing their own elimination scenarios. The way San Miguel transformed from a struggling giant to an unstoppable force in mere quarters still amazes me. As someone who's analyzed hundreds of games, I'd rank this comeback among the top three I've ever witnessed personally. It wasn't just about winning a title - it was about a team discovering its identity at the most crucial moment, teaching us all that in basketball, as in life, the game's never over until the final buzzer sounds.