Now it's back to square one.

Magnolia stuck to its defense anew and dismantled San Miguel, 96-85, to even the 2023-’24 PBA Commissioner’s Cup Finals series at 2-2 at the Smart Araneta Coliseum on Friday, Feb. 9.

Tyler Bey continued to typify the Hotshots’ swarming defense as they took advantage of the injury of June Mar Fajardo and the foul trouble of CJ Perez to pull away in the final frame and reduce the Finals showdown to a virtual best-of-three affair.

The difference, this time, was the 25-year-old’s effort to make his presence felt on both ends of the floor, scattering 26 points, 13 rebounds, six steals and a block while also limiting his counterpart Bennie Boatwright to a season-low 16 points.

Bey also got ample contributions from his local supporting cast with Mark Barroca and Paul Lee finishing with 14 apiece. Ian Sangalang was also solid with 13 points while Jio Jalalon added 10.

It also helped Magnolia's cause that Best Player of the Conference winner CJ Perez picked up four fouls in the first half alone.

SMB, however, adjusted to Magnolia's defense in the third frame as Jericho Cuz, Don Trollano and Perez led a strong third quarter run.

The Beermen even took the driver seat 73-72 heading into the final frame. The Hotshots however regained their footing behind a 15-4 run capped by a near half-court trey from Paul Lee that established a 94-83 count right at the last two minute warning.

Fajardo paced SMB with 18 points and 13 rebounds before sitting out early in the final frame due to an apparent ankle injury.

Perez, despite the foul trouble still finished with 17 points while Boatwright added 14 rebounds to his name.