As I settled into my usual game-night routine with the Pelicans box score glowing on my tablet, I found myself immediately drawn to Cabs Cabonilas’ line—24 points, 15 rebounds, and 5 assists. Honestly, I’ve been tracking his progress for a while now, and this performance felt like a statement. It’s not just the raw numbers that impress me; it’s the sheer efficiency with which he operates on the court. When a player logs a double-double while also dishing out five assists, you know you’re looking at someone who elevates everyone around him. I remember thinking during the third quarter, "This is what a complete game looks like." Cabonilas didn’t just score; he controlled the flow, and that’s something stats alone can’t always capture.

Of course, basketball is rarely a one-man show, and the contributions from Liam Salangsang and Mico Pascual really stood out to me. Salangsang’s 12 points might seem modest at first glance, but if you watched the game, you saw how his movement off the ball created openings for others. I’ve always appreciated players who do the little things—setting screens, making the extra pass—and Liam embodies that. Then there’s Mico Pascual, who chipped in 11 markers of his own. What I loved about his game was the timing; every time the opposition seemed to gain momentum, Pascual had an answer, whether it was a mid-range jumper or a drive to the basket. These two weren’t just supporting actors; they were essential co-stars in this win, and their synergy with Cabonilas gave the Pelicans a dynamic edge.

Diving deeper into the stats, I can’t help but emphasize how crucial rebounds and playmaking were in this matchup. Cabonilas grabbing 15 boards—that’s not just hustle; it’s basketball IQ in action. I’ve noticed that when he’s aggressive on the glass, it often sparks fast breaks and easy transition buckets, which probably contributed to those five assists. From my experience covering the league, teams that dominate the rebound battle tend to control the tempo, and this game was a textbook example. The Pelicans seemed to feed off that energy, turning defensive stops into offensive opportunities. It’s a simple formula, but executing it requires players who understand their roles inside and out, and tonight, they nailed it.

Shifting focus to the broader picture, I think this kind of balanced scoring is what separates good teams from great ones. When you have three players combining for 47 points—Cabonilas with 24, Salangsang with 12, and Pascual with 11—it forces defenses to stay honest. Personally, I’ve always preferred teams that spread the wealth rather than relying on one superstar to carry the load. It makes the game more unpredictable and, frankly, more fun to watch. In this case, the Pelicans’ offense flowed smoothly because everyone was involved, and that’s a credit to the coaching staff for putting players in positions to succeed. I’d even argue that if they keep this up, they could surprise a lot of people come playoff time.

Wrapping things up, I walked away from this box score feeling optimistic about the Pelicans’ direction. Cabonilas is clearly emerging as a cornerstone, and with running mates like Salangsang and Pascual stepping up, this team has a gritty, never-say-die vibe that I admire. Sure, there are areas to improve—maybe tightening up the perimeter defense or cutting down on turnovers—but for now, I’m enjoying the ride. As a fan and analyst, games like this remind me why I love digging into the stats; they tell a story beyond the final score, and in this case, it’s one of growth and collective effort. If you ask me, the Pelicans are building something special here, and I, for one, can’t wait to see how it unfolds.