Reliving the 2010 PBA Fiesta Conference Finals: Key Moments and Championship Highlights

2025-11-04 18:59

I still remember the chill that ran down my spine when I first stepped onto the court for the 2010 PBA Fiesta Conference Finals. Having covered Philippine basketball for over a decade by that point, I thought I'd seen it all—but this series between the Alaska Aces and the San Miguel Beermen would redefine what I understood about championship basketball. The energy in the Araneta Coliseum was electric, a palpable current that seemed to vibrate through every seat. What made this finals particularly special wasn't just the high-stakes competition, but the underlying narrative of growth and humility that would unfold over those intense games.

Looking back, what strikes me most about that series was how perfectly it encapsulated the concept of being a perpetual student of the game. I recall interviewing then-Alaska import Diamon Simpson before Game 3, and his words have stayed with me ever since. "When I got the invite from coach Alex and coach Chris, I made it a point to attend trainings whenever time permits and make the most of every learning opportunity. It's humbling, realizing that I'm still a student of the game," he told me. This wasn't just empty rhetoric—you could see this learning mindset translate directly onto the court throughout the series. Simpson, who averaged 18.7 points and 15.2 rebounds during the finals, constantly adjusted his game, learning from each possession, each defensive scheme thrown his way. His growth from Game 1 to the championship-clinching Game 6 was nothing short of remarkable.

Game 4 stands out in my memory as the turning point that truly showcased Alaska's resilience. Down 2-1 in the series and trailing by 8 points entering the fourth quarter, the Aces could have folded—but instead, we witnessed what I consider one of the most masterful coaching performances of Tim Cone's career. His triangle offense, which had looked stagnant earlier in the series, suddenly clicked with breathtaking precision. LA Tenorio, who I've always believed doesn't get enough credit for his basketball IQ, orchestrated the comeback with 14 fourth-quarter points, including three crucial three-pointers that just sucked the life out of San Miguel's defense. The final score of 86-79 doesn't fully capture how dominant Alaska looked in those closing minutes—it was basketball poetry in motion.

What many casual fans forget about that series is how close San Miguel came to forcing a Game 7. Game 5 was an absolute thriller that went into overtime, with both teams trading baskets in a display of offensive firepower that had the entire stadium on its feet. I distinctly remember sitting courtside, my notes forgotten as I watched Gabe Freeman—who finished with 32 points and 19 rebounds—almost single-handedly will San Miguel to victory. His putback dunk with 12 seconds left in regulation should have been the game-winner, but Alaska's defense, which had been suspect all series, came up with one crucial stop when it mattered most. That's the thing about championship basketball—it's not always about who plays better for 48 minutes, but who makes the plays in the final 48 seconds.

The championship-clinching Game 6 was particularly meaningful to me because it demonstrated something I've always believed about Philippine basketball—that local players often determine championship outcomes more than imports. While Simpson and Freeman battled to what felt like a stalemate, it was Alaska's local core that made the difference. Tenorio's 21 points and 5 assists were impressive, but for my money, it was Joe Devance's all-around performance—16 points, 8 rebounds, 4 assists—that truly sealed the championship. His versatility at both forward positions created mismatches that San Miguel simply couldn't solve, and his defensive effort on Freeman in the fourth quarter was textbook perfection.

Statistics from that final game still jump out at me when I look them up—Alaska shot 48% from the field while holding San Miguel to just 39%, won the rebounding battle 52-47, and dished out 22 assists compared to San Miguel's 15. But numbers only tell part of the story. What made Alaska's victory so compelling was how they evolved throughout the series, adapting and learning in ways that reminded me of Simpson's preseason comments about being a student of the game. They lost Game 1 by 12 points, won Game 2 by 4, dropped Game 3 by 7, then won three straight by 7, 5, and 9 points respectively. That progression speaks to a team that was learning and improving with each contest.

Fourteen years later, I still find myself referring back to that 2010 Fiesta Conference when analyzing current PBA finals. The way Alaska blended offensive execution with defensive adaptability, the way their import complemented rather than dominated the local talent, the way coaching adjustments from game to game ultimately decided the outcome—these are lessons that remain relevant today. That championship wasn't just about winning a title; it was a masterclass in how basketball should be played when talent meets humility and continuous learning. Every time I see a player staying late after practice or a coach meticulously reviewing game footage, I'm reminded of that 2010 Alaska team and their perfect embodiment of what it means to always be a student of this beautiful game.