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Watching that Game 3 clash between San Miguel and TNT, I have to admit, I was on the edge of my seat the entire time. As someone who’s followed the PBA for years, I’ve seen my share of dramatic turnarounds, but this one had a little bit of everything—momentum swings, clutch shots, and a couple of controversial calls that will definitely be talked about for days. From my perspective, it wasn’t just one single play that sealed the deal, but a sequence of key moments where composure and experience made all the difference.

Let’s start with that explosive third quarter. San Miguel came out of halftime looking a bit sluggish, and TNT capitalized immediately, going on a 12-2 run in just under four minutes. I’ve always believed that runs like these can either break a team or reveal their character—and San Miguel’s response was nothing short of resilient. June Mar Fajardo, who finished with 24 points and 14 rebounds, anchored the paint when it mattered most. There was one possession around the 5:30 mark where he drew a double-team and dished a no-look pass to CJ Perez for an open three. That play didn’t just cut the lead; it felt like it shifted the entire energy in the arena. On the other side, TNT’s RR Pogoy was sensational, dropping 28 points, but I noticed that when the game tightened, their offense became a bit too predictable, relying heavily on isolation plays. In a high-stakes match like this, ball movement tends to separate the contenders from the pretenders.

Then came the fourth quarter, where coaching adjustments really came into play. Coach Leo Austria’s decision to go small with about six minutes left was a gamble, but it paid off beautifully. By spreading the floor, San Miguel created driving lanes that just weren’t there earlier. On one critical play, with San Miguel up by two and under two minutes to go, Chris Ross came up with a steal near midcourt—his third of the game—and finished with a layup despite contact. That felt like the dagger, and honestly, I think it broke TNT’s spirit. Defensively, San Miguel’s rotations in the final minutes were sharp; they limited TNT to just one field goal in the last three minutes of play. From my experience covering these matchups, it’s often the little things—like boxing out on free throws or communicating on switches—that decide games, and San Miguel executed those details when it counted.

Looking back, what stood out to me wasn’t just the star power but the role players stepping up in big moments. Players like Moala Tautuaa, who chipped in 11 points and seven rebounds, provided the energy and physicality that San Miguel needed to counter TNT’s speed. I’ve always been a fan of teams that win with balance rather than relying solely on one or two guys, and this game was a perfect example. While TNT fought hard, their 18 turnovers—compared to San Miguel’s 11—proved costly in a game decided by just six points. If there’s one takeaway from this matchup, it’s that composure under pressure often trumps raw talent. San Miguel’s experience in close games shone through, and as the series progresses, that could be the defining factor. For now, though, Game 3 will be remembered for its intensity and the moments that reminded us why we love Philippine basketball.