Relive the Epic 2014 PBA Commissioner's Cup Finals: Complete Game Highlights & Analysis

I still get chills thinking about that incredible 2014 PBA Commissioner's Cup Finals between San Mig Coffee Mixers and Talk 'N Text Tropang Texters. Having covered Philippine basketball for over a decade, I can confidently say this series represented the absolute peak of PBA championship basketball - the kind of intense, back-and-forth battle that reminds you why you fell in love with the sport in the first place.

What made this series particularly memorable was how both teams refused to back down, much like that recent match between Galeries Tower and Nxled where Galeries mounted that late 5-1 blitz in Set 2 to cut the lead to just one point at 24-23. I've always admired teams that fight back when things look bleak, though unlike in that recent game where France Ronquillo's service error cost them the set, the 2014 finals saw both teams executing under pressure with remarkable composure. The Mixers and Texters traded blows for six grueling games, with San Mig Coffee ultimately prevailing in a winner-take-all Game 6 that went down to the final possessions.

Looking back at the statistics, James Yap's performance in Game 4 still stands out in my memory - he dropped 28 points on 11-of-19 shooting, including four crucial three-pointers that completely shifted the momentum in San Mig's favor. What many people forget is how instrumental Marc Pingris was throughout the series, averaging 12.7 points and 11.3 rebounds while consistently making the right defensive rotations. I've always believed Pingris never received the credit he deserved for being the defensive anchor that made that San Mig team so special.

The import matchup between San Mig's James Mays and Talk 'N Text's Richard Howell was particularly fascinating to analyze. Both big men averaged double-doubles for the series, with Mays putting up 18.4 points and 12.8 rebounds while Howell countered with 20.1 points and 14.3 boards. Having studied numerous import performances over the years, what impressed me most about these two was their ability to impact the game beyond just scoring - their screen setting, defensive communication, and ability to find open teammates created opportunities that don't always show up in the stat sheet.

Game 6 provided the perfect climax to an already dramatic series. With 3:14 remaining in the fourth quarter and San Mig clinging to a two-point lead, Peter June Simon hit what I consider the most important shot of his career - a contested mid-range jumper over two defenders that stretched the lead to four and essentially sealed the championship. That's the kind of moment that separates championship teams from merely good ones - the ability to make plays when everything is on the line.

The coaching duel between Tim Cone and Norman Black was equally compelling. Cone's triangle offense consistently created mismatches that San Mig exploited, while Black's defensive adjustments nearly stole the series for Talk 'N Text. I've always been partial to Cone's systematic approach to the game - there's something beautiful about watching a well-executed offensive set break down even the best defensive schemes.

What often gets overlooked in discussions about this series is the incredible three-point shooting from both teams. San Mig shot 38.7% from beyond the arc throughout the finals, while Talk 'N Text connected on 36.4% of their attempts. These numbers become even more impressive when you consider the defensive pressure both teams applied on the perimeter. Jayson Castro's 25-point explosion in Game 3, where he hit five three-pointers, remains one of the most impressive shooting displays I've witnessed in a finals game.

The legacy of this championship extends beyond just the trophy. This victory marked San Mig Coffee's fourth consecutive Commissioner's Cup title and established them as the PBA's modern dynasty. Having followed the league since the 90s, I can't think of many teams that demonstrated such consistent excellence in a single conference. The way they closed out games, their defensive identity, and their ability to make adjustments on the fly set a standard that future PBA champions would be measured against.

Reflecting on this series eight years later, what strikes me most is how many of the players from both teams have transitioned into coaching roles, passing along the lessons they learned from these intense championship battles. The 2014 Commissioner's Cup Finals wasn't just about winning a title - it was about the heart, determination, and basketball IQ that both teams displayed throughout six unforgettable games. For anyone who wants to understand what makes Philippine basketball special, this series remains essential viewing.