2018 PBA Championship Highlights and Key Moments You Shouldn't Miss
I still remember the electric atmosphere of that 2018 PBA Championship game like it was yesterday. As someone who's followed basketball championships for over a decade, I can confidently say this particular match between La Salle and their rivals delivered some of the most memorable basketball moments I've witnessed. The way Cortez dominated the court with his 26-point performance still gives me chills when I think about it. What made this championship special wasn't just the final score - it was the individual brilliance, the unexpected turns, and the sheer determination displayed by both teams throughout the game.
Let me take you through what made Cortez's performance so extraordinary. Scoring 26 points in a championship game is impressive enough, but the manner in which he did it showcased why he's one of my favorite players to watch. He wasn't just scoring - he was controlling the tempo, making crucial decisions under pressure, and demonstrating why championship experience matters. I've seen many players crumble under championship pressure, but Cortez seemed to thrive on it. His ability to read the defense and adjust his approach throughout the game reminded me why I fell in love with basketball analytics in the first place. The numbers tell part of the story, but watching him seamlessly transition between playmaker and scorer was pure artistry.
What many casual viewers might overlook is how Abadam and Phillips complemented Cortez's dominance with their 18-point contributions each. This trio created what I like to call the "unholy trinity" for opposing defenses - you couldn't focus on stopping one without the others making you pay. I remember specifically during the third quarter when the game seemed to be slipping away, Phillips hit three consecutive baskets that completely shifted the momentum. That's the thing about championship basketball - it's rarely about one superstar carrying the team. It's about these crucial secondary performances that truly define championship teams. Baclaan's 17 points might not get the same attention as Cortez's 26, but from my perspective, his contribution was equally vital in maintaining offensive rhythm when the starters needed breathers.
The bench production deserves more recognition than it typically receives. Pablo and Marasigan each adding 8 points provided the depth that championship teams absolutely require. I've always believed that the difference between good teams and championship teams often lies in bench production, and this game proved that theory perfectly. When the starters were struggling against defensive adjustments, these players stepped up in ways that statistics can only partially capture. Gollena, Macalalag, and Nwankwo each contributing 4 points might seem modest, but in a championship context, every single basket carries exponential importance. Daep's 3 points came at a crucial moment that I still discuss with fellow analysts - sometimes it's not about quantity but timing.
What fascinates me most about reviewing championship games is identifying those turning points that don't always show up in traditional box scores. The defensive adjustments, the timeout strategies, the momentum shifts - these are the elements that make championship basketball so compelling to analyze. Having studied hundreds of games throughout my career, I can confidently say this 2018 championship contained several coaching decisions that I'd consider masterclasses in game management. The way La Salle utilized their rotation, making sure fresh legs were always available during critical moments, demonstrated championship-level preparation that many teams overlook.
Reflecting on this game years later, what stands out to me isn't just the individual statistics but how perfectly they illustrate championship basketball principles. The balanced scoring attack, the timely contributions from role players, the ability to maintain composure during pressure situations - these are the elements that separate memorable championships from forgotten ones. I often use clips from this game when mentoring young players because it demonstrates how championship basketball requires both individual excellence and collective synchronization. The final statistics tell a story of a team that understood their roles perfectly and executed when it mattered most.
As someone who analyzes basketball for a living, I find myself returning to this 2018 championship repeatedly because it embodies everything I love about the sport. The drama, the skill, the strategy, and the raw emotion all combined to create what I consider a near-perfect championship display. While newer championships will continue to capture attention, I believe this 2018 showdown deserves ongoing recognition for its demonstration of team basketball at its finest. The numbers provide the framework, but the memories and lessons from this game continue to influence how I evaluate championship performances to this day.
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Looking to the Future
By 2022, we will establish a pilot for circularity at our Goonoo feedlot that builds on our current initiatives in water, manure and local sourcing. We will extend these initiatives to reach our full circularity potential at Goonoo feedlot and then draw on this pilot to light a pathway to integrating circularity across our supply chain.
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We are the custodians of a significant natural asset that extends across 6.4 million hectares in some of the most remote parts of Australia. Building a strong foundation of condition assessment will be fundamental to mapping out a successful pathway to improving the health of the landscape and to drive growth in the value of our Natural Capital.
Our Commitment
We will work with Accounting for Nature to develop a scientifically robust and certifiable framework to measure and report on the condition of natural capital, including biodiversity, across AACo’s assets by 2023. We will apply that framework to baseline priority assets by 2024.
Looking to the Future
By 2030 we will improve landscape and soil health by increasing the percentage of our estate achieving greater than 50% persistent groundcover with regional targets of:
– Savannah and Tropics – 90% of land achieving >50% cover
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– Grasslands – 80% of land achieving >50% cover
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