Titan Ultra upsets San Miguel to grab 1st PBA Commissioner’s Cup win

By Leobert Julian A. de la Peña

This is not a drill.

It happened, folks.

On March 21, 2026, the Titan Ultra Giant Risers pulled off a massive statement win, shocking the San Miguel Beermen, 119-112, to enter the winning column of the PBA Commissioner’s Cup for the first time in three games at the Ynares Center in Antipolo.

After suffering back-to-back blowout losses by an average of 31 points against the Terrafirma Dyip and the Phoenix Fuel Masters, Titan Ultra finally earned a momentum-boosting win, and most did not see it coming, especially against one of the title favorites in the import-laced conference.

The Giant Risers had to dig deep, escaping a shaky start after scoring only two points in the first three minutes of the ball game to trail early, 2-7.

However, the duo of Joshua Munzon and import Michael Gilmore helped Titan Ultra regain its footing, backstopped by a bench mob that outscored San Miguel’s second unit in the second quarter.

The game then transitioned into a thrilling back-and-forth battle, with Titan Ultra answering every San Miguel bucket to take a three-point cushion at the half, 52-49.

Little did the Beermen know that a demoralizing avalanche would come their way after the Giant Risers dominated the third frame, 41-26, to enter the fourth quarter with an 18-point lead.

During that crucial run, Titan Ultra led by as many as 21 points, courtesy of red-hot performances from Munzon, Gilmore, Cade Flores and Fran Yu.

Just when Titan Ultra thought the struggling San Miguel Beermen would fold, Leo Austria and his wards found a way to inch closer to within four points, led by CJ Perez and Moala Tautuaa’s offensive resurgence.

Unfortunately for the Beermen, Titan Ultra staged a cold-blooded 7-0 run to extend its lead back to eight points, 116-108, with only 1:28 remaining in the game.

Munzon was automatic from the field for the Giant Risers, leading all scorers with 29 points, while Gilmore added an all-around effort of 28 markers, 13 rebounds, four assists and two blocks.

On the other hand, San Miguel import and former National Basketball League enforcer Marcus Lee had a forgettable PBA debut after contributing only four points.

It was Perez who held the fort for the All-Filipino Conference champions with 27 points, while the duo of Tautuaa and June Mar Fajardo delivered 18 and 15 markers, respectively.

The Giant Risers seek to maintain momentum and win a second straight PBA game on March 29, 2026, against the Meralco Bolts, while San Miguel hopes to bounce back on March 28, 2026, against Bol Bol and TNT Tropang 5G.