Top PBA Games 2019 Highlights: Must-Watch Basketball Action and Results

As a longtime basketball analyst who’s followed the Philippine Basketball Association for over a decade, I’ve got to say—the 2019 season delivered some truly unforgettable moments. I still find myself rewatching clips from those games, especially the championship series between San Miguel Beermen and TNT KaTropa. One matchup that stands out vividly in my memory is Game Two of the finals, a gritty, high-stakes showdown that shifted the momentum of the entire series. After a controversial finish in Game One, tensions were sky-high, and both teams came out with something to prove.

I remember watching that game live, and what struck me most was how Chris Ross stepped up when San Miguel needed him most. He didn’t just contribute—he orchestrated. Ross scored seven points, grabbed four rebounds, issued seven assists, and had four steals in San Miguel’s 98-92 win over TNT. That stat line might not scream "MVP numbers" at first glance, but anyone who understands playoff basketball knows how impactful he was. His seven assists created scoring opportunities when the offense seemed stagnant, and those four steals? They came at critical moments, completely disrupting TNT’s rhythm. I’ve always believed that defense wins championships, and Ross embodied that in this game. His energy was contagious, and you could see the entire San Miguel squad elevate because of it.

The final score, 98-92, doesn’t fully capture how intense this game was. With around three minutes left, TNT had cut the lead to just four points, and I remember thinking, "Here we go again." But San Miguel’s experience in clutch situations shone through. They executed their plays with a level of precision you only see from veteran teams. June Mar Fajherty was a force in the paint, no doubt, but it was Ross’s all-around game that sealed the deal for me. He made the right passes, applied relentless defensive pressure, and most importantly, kept his composure during those heated exchanges.

Let’s talk about that series context for a moment. Going into this game, San Miguel was under immense pressure. They’d lost Game One in contentious fashion—a finish that left fans and analysts debating for days. A loss here would’ve put them in an 0-2 hole, and as we all know, climbing out of that against a team like TNT is nearly impossible. But Ross and company refused to let that happen. This victory squared the series, and psychologically, it was a massive boost. I’ve observed over the years how momentum swings in a best-of-seven format, and this was a classic example. TNT had to be feeling frustrated; they’d played well but couldn’t counter San Miguel’s adaptability.

From a tactical standpoint, San Miguel’s ball movement improved dramatically compared to Game One. They recorded something like 24 total assists—I’d need to double-check the exact number, but it was a significant jump. Ross’s playmaking was central to that. He found shooters in transition and exploited gaps in TNT’s half-court defense. On the other side, TNT relied heavily on their backcourt, but San Miguel’s defensive schemes, anchored by Ross’s activity, forced them into tough shots. I recall one particular sequence in the third quarter where Ross had back-to-back steals leading to fast-break points. That two-minute stretch essentially built the cushion San Miguel needed down the stretch.

What I appreciate about games like this is how they highlight the importance of role players in playoff success. Superstars draw headlines, but it’s the two-way contributors like Ross who often determine the outcome. His performance wasn’t just about filling the stat sheet; it was about making winning plays when it mattered. I’ve always been a bit biased toward guards who impact the game on both ends—it’s why I rate players like Ross so highly. In my opinion, this was one of the top three individual performances of the 2019 PBA finals, and it set the tone for the rest of the series.

Looking back, this game also underscored San Miguel’s resilience. They’ve built a culture of winning, and even when things aren’t going their way, they find a response. The 98-92 victory wasn’t just a win—it was a statement. It told TNT, and the rest of the league, that San Miguel wasn’t going away easily. For fans, this was must-watch basketball at its finest: high stakes, emotional swings, and brilliant individual displays. If you’re compiling a list of top PBA games from 2019, this one has to be near the top. The way Ross controlled the flow, the strategic adjustments, the sheer intensity—it’s the kind of action that reminds you why you love the sport.

In the grand scheme of the season, this game reinforced how tightly contested the PBA can be. The margin between winning and losing is often razor-thin, and it’s the little things—a well-timed steal, an extra pass, a composed finish—that make all the difference. As someone who’s analyzed hundreds of games, I can confidently say that San Miguel’s Game Two win was a masterclass in playoff basketball. It had everything: drama, skill, and a hero in Chris Ross who proved that greatness isn’t always measured in points. If you haven’t seen the highlights, do yourself a favor and look them up. Trust me, you won’t be disappointed.