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I've got to be honest, when I settled in to watch Game 3 of this PBA Finals series between San Miguel and TNT, I expected another classic battle between these two powerhouse teams. What I witnessed instead was something truly special - a game that reminded me why I fell in love with basketball in the first place. The energy in the arena was electric from the opening tip, with both teams trading baskets in what felt like a prize fight where neither side wanted to give an inch.

San Miguel came out with what I can only describe as championship DNA on full display. June Mar Fajounter, the league's reigning MVP, was absolutely dominant in the paint, finishing with what I believe was 28 points and 15 rebounds. His footwork against TNT's smaller defenders was a masterclass in post play - something young big men should be studying on repeat. What impressed me most wasn't just his scoring though, but how he facilitated the offense, drawing double teams and finding open shooters. Speaking of shooters, Marcio Lassiter was absolutely unconscious from beyond the arc, hitting what had to be 6 three-pointers, many of them coming at crucial moments when TNT seemed poised to make a run.

On the other side, TNT's backcourt duo of Mikey Williams and Jayson Castro put on an absolute show that had me jumping out of my seat multiple times. Williams' scoring outburst in the third quarter was one of the most impressive individual performances I've seen this season - he single-handedly kept TNT in the game when San Miguel threatened to pull away. His ability to create his own shot against tight defense is something special. Castro, despite being one of the older guards in the league, showed he still has that explosive first step that's made him a legend in Philippine basketball. The way he controlled the tempo during TNT's comeback attempt was pure veteran savvy.

The game ultimately came down to the final two minutes, and here's where I think San Miguel showed their championship mettle. With the score tied at 98-all, they executed their half-court offense to perfection while getting three consecutive defensive stops. Chris Ross, who I've always believed is one of the most underrated guards in the league, made two huge plays down the stretch - a steal leading to a fastbreak and then a crucial assist to CJ Perez for the go-ahead basket. TNT had their chances, but they seemed to rush their shots in those final possessions, something I attribute to San Miguel's defensive pressure rather than poor decision-making.

What really stood out to me was the coaching chess match between Jorge Gallent of San Miguel and Jojo Lastimosa of TNT. The adjustments made after halftime were fascinating to watch - San Miguel started blitzing the pick-and-roll more aggressively, while TNT countered by going to a smaller lineup to create mismatches. I've been covering this league for over a decade, and this was one of the better tactical battles I've seen in recent memory.

Looking at the bigger picture, this game gave San Miguel a 2-1 series lead, but if I'm being completely honest, this series feels much closer than that. TNT proved they can hang with the Beermen when their shots are falling, and I wouldn't be surprised if this goes the full seven games. The key difference in Game 3, in my opinion, was San Miguel's bench production - they got 35 points from their reserves compared to TNT's 22. That depth might ultimately be what decides this championship.

As someone who's watched hundreds of PBA games, this one will stick with me for a while. The intensity, the skill level, the dramatic swings - it had everything you could want from a basketball game. Both teams left everything on that court, and while San Miguel came out on top this time, I have a feeling we're in for several more classics before this series is over.