MANILA, Philippines – San Miguel Beermen and Barangay Ginebra, two of the league’s most illustrious teams, are getting up for one of the most anticipated matchups of the 2024–2025 PBA Philippine Cup quarterfinals. The match will be a best-of-seven contest. More than just a place in the finals is on the line. For San Miguel, it’s about continuing their illustrious history of winning the Philippine Cup; for Ginebra, it’s about making amends for a defeat in the elimination stage and for recent failures in the all-Filipino competition.

With an 8–3 record in elimination rounds and a decisive quarterfinal victory over the eighth-seeded Meralco Bolts, San Miguel is the top seed going into the semifinals. With nine Philippine Cup victories since 2009, the Beermen continue to set the bar for success in this conference by excelling without imports and displaying the breadth of Filipino talent. Consistency, system discipline, and the lasting presence of June Mar Fajardo—possibly the most dominant player in PBA history—are their main advantages.

San Miguel’s inner assault and defense are still anchored by Fajardo. He showed no signs of slowing down, averaging 20.1 points, 16.3 rebounds, and 3.5 assists across the conference. The six-time MVP is still a formidable presence inside the paint, controlling the glass and scoring goals with his size and footwork. He is favored to win his 12th Best Player of the Conference title after another successful run.

San Miguel’s perimeter game is fueled by two dynamic guards, CJ Perez and Juami Tiongson, who support Fajardo. Tiongson offers consistent shooting and playmaking, while Perez contributes agility and unrelenting scoring, averaging 18.7 points, 4.1 assists, and 2.3 steals per game. Their presence makes it impossible for opponents to just fall on Fajardo without running the danger of external harm.

San Miguel’s outstanding ball movement and offensive rhythm are highlighted by the fact that they lead the league in assists (26.2 per game). Moala Tautuaa, Rodney Brondial, and Don Trollano provide depth and adaptability, helping with defensive coverage as well as offensive spacing. The Beermen lead the rebounding statistics with more than 52 rebounds per game and convert on around 47% of their field goal attempts, which is among the most in the league.

In the meantime, Ginebra defeated Converge 88-80 in the quarterfinals to secure their semifinal ticket. With a 7–4 record, the Gin Kings, who are renowned for their deep bench and methodical execution, came in fourth place in the eliminations. Ginebra brings championship experience, tactical savvy, and fervent fan support to the table under the leadership of head coach Tim Cone, the most decorated mentor in league history.

With 13.2 points, 8.1 rebounds, and 5.3 assists per game, 2021 MVP Scottie Thompson still leads the team’s backcourt with poise. His all-around performance has been essential to preserving Ginebra’s reputation as a tough, defensive team. Japeth Aguilar and Jamie Malonzo patrol the frontcourt, offering agility and rim protection, while rookie Stephen Holt, a reliable floor general, contributes shooting and ball handling.

With an average of just 91.5 points per game, Ginebra excels at defense. San Miguel’s muscular front line will put their interior defense to the test, but the team has proven time and again that it is capable of handling the pressure. Ginebra’s defensive rotations and relentless rebounding restricted Converge to just 38% field goal shooting in the quarterfinals.

San Miguel outscored the Gin Kings 54–45 and controlled the tempo to defeat Ginebra 104–93 in their matchup in the elimination round. The Beermen’s victory provided them a psychological advantage and revealed their strategy for controlling this series: size, patience, and skill.

Postseason series, however, are a different fight. In the past, Ginebra has succeeded by adapting from game to game, taking advantage of flaws, and having faith in its system. In lengthy series, Cone’s ability to control minutes and rotations keeps his squad fresh, while his triangle approach offers alternatives and spacing.

In the paint, Aguilar and Malonzo will face Fajardo; on the perimeter, Thompson and Holt will face Perez and Tiongson; and Cone and Jorge Gallent will face off as coaches. Tight games will probably be decided by the battle on the boards, turnover management, and transition opportunities.

Because of their constant offensive effectiveness and rebounding advantage, analysts predict a six- or seven-game series with San Miguel leading 60–40.