MANILA, Philippines – Game 4 of the PBA Philippine Cup Finals saw the return of veteran big man Andreas Cahilig, giving the San Miguel Beermen a huge boost to their frontcourt rotation. After missing six games due to a knee injury—three of which were in the finals—the 34-year-old Cahilig played in the first game of the title series and is now in the hunt for his first championship.

When Cahilig played Rain or Shine in Game 4 of the playoffs, he hyperextended his left knee. He had to leave the game early due to his injury and didn’t return for six games. He was able to return to the court and play in the Beermen’s playoff run after scans showed no major injuries, allaying initial fears.

Even though he just played 34 seconds in Game 4 versus TNT Tropang 5G, Coach Leo Austria reinserted Cahilig into the starting lineup. While he was getting his knee used to the rigors of playoff basketball, that short cameo acted as a mild reintroduction. The coach’s move showed that he was being careful to guarantee that Cahilig would be available for the finals over the long haul.

At a pivotal time, Cahilig’s participation gives San Miguel renewed depth. With his return, the Beermen’s frontcourt gains even more size and rebounding skills, further solidifying their series dominance. Coach Austria now has more leeway to experiment with matchups and rotations thanks to Cahilig’s availability, who strengthens the team’s interior rotation behind talents like Moala Tautuaa and June Mar Fajardo.

Cahilig has never had a shot at a PBA title until this finals series. The 34-year-old has established himself as a solid bench player for San Miguel after joining in the middle of the season in a trade with Terrafirma, although he has not yet played in a championship game. Even though he just had a few minutes to shine in Game 4, it was a big deal for him and showed that he’s still a playoff contender.

Key players for TNT Tropang 5G have been out with injury this season, so Cahilig’s comeback is all the more welcome. Although June Mar Fajardo and the rest of the core rotation have been the fulcrum of the reigning champions’ offense, Cahilig’s return improves San Miguel’s defense and helps them keep their dominance inside, particularly at pivotal moments. The Beermen have a better chance of winning the series because of the physical mismatch that the frontcourt trio could cause TNT.

His remarkable recovery from injury highlights Cahilig’s unwavering determination. He was hopeful that he may return before the finals ended, so he immediately resumed mild exercise and therapy after the hyperextension. His psychological and physiological preparedness to make a significant impact in high-pressure situations is indicated by his level of readiness.

Despite his limited playing time, Cahilig’s contribution is still crucial. Screening, boxing out for rebounds, and defensively adjusting shots are just a few ways that even brief appearances may affect game dynamics. If the series goes beyond Game 4, the coaching staff plans to watch how his knee reacts before giving him more playing time in the next game.

It was all planned out in advance when he came back. After considering Cahilig’s health and the pressing need for frontcourt reinforcements, Coach Austria decided to hold off on reinstating him until Game 4. Having Cahilig accessible for crucial situations down the line and having faith in his conditioning are both suggested by that decision.

The squad dynamic could be affected by Cahilig’s inclusion in the finals rotation. Intangible benefits, such as leadership, communication, and institutional understanding of systems, are delivered by his veteran presence. Even in high-stakes games, Cahilig’s younger colleagues, such as Juami Tiongson and JM Calma, will certainly learn from his mistakes.

The ability of San Miguel to absorb bench players in the middle of a series is also put to the test by his return. The Beermen’s playoff success has been founded on their ability to adapt, and Cahilig’s return is a prime example of that. If the team is able to keep him healthy and manage his minutes well, they may see improved performance in the final stages of games.