Meet the Top San Miguel PBA Players Dominating the Court This Season

I remember watching Gomez de Liaño during his rookie season and thinking, "This kid's got something special." Now, seeing what he's accomplished with San Miguel, I can't help but feel that familiar mix of professional admiration and personal pride. Having covered the PBA for over a decade, I've witnessed numerous players come and go, but this season's San Miguel lineup feels particularly special. There's a chemistry there that you don't often see in professional basketball, and it shows in their dominant 14-3 record this conference alone.

What strikes me most about this San Miguel squad is how they've managed to blend veteran leadership with explosive young talent. June Mar Fajardo, the six-time MVP, continues to be the anchor, but it's the emergence of players like Gomez de Liaño that has truly transformed this team. I was speaking with a former teammate of his just last week, and he mentioned how Gomez de Liaño's work ethic has always been exceptional. "He'd stay after practice for hours, working on his three-pointers when everyone else had gone home," he told me. That dedication is paying off now, with Gomez de Liaño averaging 18.3 points per game this season, up from just 9.7 last year.

The way these players complement each other is basketball poetry. When Fajardo draws double teams in the paint, it creates opportunities for shooters like Marcio Lassiter, who's connecting on 42% of his three-point attempts. And when defenses overcommit to the perimeter, that's when CJ Perez drives to the basket with that explosive first step I haven't seen since Jayson Castro in his prime. What many fans might not realize is how much of this success stems from their practice habits. I've attended several of their closed practices, and the intensity level is something else entirely. They're not just going through motions – they're treating every drill like it's game seven of the finals.

I've got to be honest – I've developed a particular fondness for watching Terrence Romeo operate in clutch situations. There's something magical about how he creates space where none exists. His handles are so tight, so controlled, that defenders often look foolish trying to stay in front of him. Statistics show he's shooting 48% in the final two minutes of close games, which is just insane when you consider the pressure. But what impresses me more than his scoring is his playmaking. He's averaging 6.2 assists this season, a career high, proving he's evolved into a complete offensive threat.

Defensively, this team has been nothing short of spectacular. They're holding opponents to just 89.4 points per game, the best in the league by a significant margin. Chris Ross continues to be the defensive quarterback, always in the right position, always communicating. I remember one particular play against TNT where he anticipated a pass so perfectly it looked like he was in the huddle with the opposing team. That level of defensive IQ is something you can't teach – it comes from years of experience and film study.

The bench depth is another aspect that doesn't get enough attention. Players like Moala Tautuaa and Robbie Herndon could start for most other teams in the league, yet they've embraced their roles coming off the bench. This creates matchup nightmares for opponents throughout the game. When the second unit comes in, there's no significant drop-off in quality, which allows the starters to stay fresh for crunch time. It's no coincidence that San Miguel has outscored opponents in the fourth quarter in 15 of their 17 games this season.

What really stands out to me, though, is the culture they've built. You can see it in how they celebrate each other's successes, how they pick each other up after mistakes. There's a genuine camaraderie that transcends basketball. Gomez de Liaño's former teammate mentioned how proud he was of his development, not just as a player but as a leader. "He's always been talented, but now he's become the guy who organizes team dinners, who checks on rookies, who sets the tone in the locker room," he shared. That intangible quality is what separates good teams from great ones.

As we approach the playoffs, I'm convinced this San Miguel team has what it takes to win it all. They have the star power, the depth, the coaching, and most importantly, the chemistry. While other teams might have individual talents that shine brighter in isolation, San Miguel plays with a collective purpose that's beautiful to watch. They move the ball with purpose, they help each other defensively, and they genuinely seem to enjoy playing together. In my years covering the PBA, I've learned that talent wins games, but connection wins championships. And right now, nobody's more connected than this San Miguel squad.