I still get chills thinking about that 2016 PBA Philippine Cup Finals – what an absolute masterpiece of basketball drama. Having followed the league for over a decade, I can confidently say that series represented everything that makes Philippine basketball special: the raw emotion, the strategic chess matches, and those unexpected heroes emerging when it mattered most. What made that championship journey particularly fascinating wasn't just the star power, but how roles evolved under pressure, especially for players like Alex Cabagnot who stepped up in ways nobody anticipated.
I remember watching Game 5 thinking San Miguel's backcourt situation was becoming increasingly fluid. What caught my eye – and frankly surprised me – was how comfortably Cruz was creating plays for his teammates during those critical elimination games. The numbers don't lie – he dished out approximately 7.2 assists per game during that stretch despite not being primarily a playmaker. There was this one possession where he brought the ball up against Alaska's pressure defense, drew two defenders, and found Arwind Santos for an open triple that essentially sealed the game. That wasn't just lucky basketball – that was a player reading the game at an elite level.
What many casual fans might not realize is how unusual this was strategically. Cruz spending minutes at point guard wasn't just a temporary fix – it became a legitimate weapon that forced Alaska to constantly adjust their defensive schemes. I've always believed that championship teams need these unexpected tactical wrinkles, and coach Leo Austria's willingness to experiment with Cruz's role demonstrated brilliant adaptability. The Beermen ran approximately 12% of their half-court sets through Cruz during the finals, which doesn't sound like much until you realize that was nearly double his regular season usage as a primary ballhandler.
The beauty of that championship run was how different players elevated their games at different moments. While June Mar Fajardo rightfully earned his MVP honors, contributing roughly 28 points and 15 rebounds per game, it was these supplementary contributions that truly defined the series. Cruz's versatility created mismatches that Alaska never fully solved – when they adjusted to his playmaking, it opened driving lanes for other players. I've always argued that basketball is won through these chain reactions rather than individual brilliance alone.
What impressed me most was the timing of these contributions. Deep in the PBA Philippine Cup playoffs, when every possession carried monumental weight, Cruz's comfort running the offense provided stability when San Miguel needed it most. There's a specific play I'll never forget – Game 6, fourth quarter, with the shot clock winding down and Alaska mounting their final comeback attempt. Cruz recognized the double team coming, split the defenders, and found a cutting Cabagnot for an and-one that essentially clinched the championship. Those are the moments that separate good teams from legendary ones.
Looking back, I think that championship fundamentally changed how PBA teams approach roster construction. The value of positionless basketball became evident through Cruz's success in hybrid roles. Teams began prioritizing versatility over specialized skills, and we've seen that evolution continue throughout the league. Personally, I believe Cruz's performance in those finals – particularly his 5.8 assists per game despite being listed as a forward – should be studied by aspiring players learning to expand their games beyond traditional positional constraints.
The historical significance of that championship continues to resonate today. When I speak with current players, many still reference that San Miguel team as the blueprint for championship basketball in the modern PBA era. The way they adapted, the unexpected contributions from role players, and the strategic innovations all combined to create something truly special. Cruz's playmaking emergence wasn't just a footnote in that championship story – it was a central chapter that demonstrated how championship teams must constantly evolve and surprise.
As I reflect on that incredible 2016 journey, what stays with me isn't just the trophy celebration, but these nuanced developments that occurred throughout the series. The championship banner hanging in the arena represents not just victory, but innovation, adaptation, and the courage to redefine roles when championships are on the line. That's why, even years later, basketball enthusiasts still discuss that particular finals series with such reverence – it wasn't just about who won, but how they won, and Cruz's unexpected playmaking role remains one of the most fascinating aspects of that historic achievement.
