The roar of the arena was a physical thing, a wall of sound that hit you the moment you stepped inside. I was perched high up in the bleachers, the scent of popcorn and sweat hanging thick in the air, watching the sea of red and blue jerseys ebb and flow below. It was one of those classic PBA nights, the kind you remember for years, and the tension was already palpable even before the tip-off. Everyone in that building knew they were about to witness a battle, a chapter in the long-standing saga of Meralco vs Ginebra. I’ve been to dozens of these games, but there’s something about this particular rivalry that always gets my blood pumping, a feeling that tonight, history could be made.

The first quarter unfolded like a cautious chess match. Both teams were feeling each other out, probing for weaknesses. Ginebra’s fans were their usual deafening selves, but Meralco held their ground with a disciplined, almost surgical precision. I remember thinking how the pace was controlled, not the frantic run-and-gun I sometimes expect. The ball moved from side to side, and you could see the plays developing. When the buzzer sounded for the end of the first period, the scoreboard told a clear story: a tight 27-23 lead for Meralco. It wasn't a massive gap, but in a game of this magnitude, every point felt like a small victory. That four-point cushion was built on solid defense and, I have to admit, some really smart shot selection from the Bolts.

By halftime, the narrative had started to shift. Meralco wasn't just holding on; they were building. The second quarter saw them extend their lead, methodically chipping away at Ginebra’s resolve. There was a sequence where they got three consecutive stops on defense and converted on the other end that had our entire section on its feet. The energy in the building became divided—a frantic hope from the Ginebra faithful and a growing, confident roar from the Meralco side. When the teams headed to the locker rooms, the numbers on the board were 61-51. A ten-point lead. In my notebook, I scribbled, "Meralco's composure is the story." They were playing with a calm assurance that was frankly impressive to watch, especially against a crowd that was doing its absolute best to rattle them.

The third quarter is often where games are won or lost, and true to form, Ginebra came out with that famous "never-say-die" spirit. They made their runs, as they always do. Justin Brownlee hit a couple of tough, contested shots that made me groan because they were just so good. The lead fluctuated, dipping down to six or seven points at times, and you could feel the momentum threatening to swing. But every time Ginebra inched closer, Meralco had an answer. A crucial three-pointer here, a hard drive to the basket there. The quarter ended 82-74. Meralco had managed to absorb Ginebra’s best punch and were still standing, still leading. I turned to the guy next to me and said, "They're weathering the storm, but this is far from over."

And then came the fourth quarter. Oh man, the fourth quarter. This is where the real drama of the Meralco vs Ginebra Score truly unfolded. Ginebra threw everything they had left. The game became a frantic, high-stakes affair with bodies flying everywhere. The lead, which had felt somewhat safe, was suddenly under serious threat. With about three minutes left, Ginebra cut it to a single possession game. The noise was absolutely deafening; you couldn't hear yourself think. But then, Meralco’s veterans stepped up. Chris Newsome, who I’ve always thought is criminally underrated, made a couple of ice-cold plays, and Allein Maliksi hit a dagger of a three that felt like it silenced the entire arena for a split second. The final seconds ticked down in a blur of fouls and timeouts, and when the final buzzer sounded, the score was sealed: 109-103.

Looking back at those quarter scores—27-23; 61-51; 82-74; 109-103—you can trace the entire arc of the game. It was a story of Meralco establishing control, facing a ferocious comeback, and ultimately having the toughness to close it out. That final score, 109-103, doesn't fully capture the emotional rollercoaster of those last few minutes. As I filed out of the arena with the buzzing crowd, my voice hoarse from shouting, I felt that special satisfaction you only get from a game that lived up to the hype. It was a testament to Meralco's growth and a reminder that in this rivalry, no lead is ever truly safe until the clock hits zero. What a game.