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Having just witnessed the Game 3 showdown between San Miguel and TNT, I have to say, it's a game that will be talked about for a while. The energy in the arena was electric, a palpable tension that you could feel from the opening tip-off to the final buzzer. As someone who's followed the PBA for years, I can confidently say this series is shaping up to be a classic, and this particular game was a masterclass in momentum swings and clutch performances. The final score of 98-95 in favor of San Miguel doesn't even begin to tell the full story of the drama that unfolded on the court. It was a game of runs, a true heavyweight bout where neither team wanted to give an inch.

I was particularly impressed with June Mar Fajerson's dominance in the paint. He was an absolute force, finishing with what I believe was 24 points and 15 rebounds. His ability to command a double-team and still make the right pass opened up so much for San Miguel's offense. There was a sequence in the third quarter where he scored on three consecutive possessions, each time with a different move, that just broke TNT's spirit for a moment. On the other side, you have to give credit to Mikey Williams. The man is a walking bucket. He had a game-high 32 points, and some of those three-pointers were just ridiculous, shots you can't defend even if you have a hand in his face. I lost count of how many times he silenced the San Miguel crowd with a deep, contested three. It felt like every time TNT needed a basket to stop a run, he was the one to deliver.

But here's the play that I think truly decided the game, and it didn't even involve a star player. With about 1:42 left on the clock and San Miguel clinging to a two-point lead, CJ Perez came up with a massive offensive rebound off a missed free throw. That was pure heart and hustle. He kept the possession alive, and it eventually led to a crucial Marcio Lassiter corner three that pushed the lead to five. That's a championship-level play right there. TNT had their chances, of course. Roger Pogoy had a relatively quiet night with only 14 points, and I think his lack of offensive production was a key factor in their loss. They needed one more consistent scorer to step up alongside Williams, and it just didn't happen consistently enough.

Looking back, San Miguel's experience in these high-pressure situations was the difference. They never panicked, even when TNT went on a 12-2 run in the fourth quarter to take a brief lead. Coach Austria's decision to stick with a smaller, quicker lineup down the stretch paid off, as it allowed them to switch everything on defense and disrupt TNT's rhythm. From my perspective, TNT's reliance on isolation plays for Williams in the final minutes was their undoing. They became a bit predictable, and San Miguel's defense was ready for it. This win gives San Miguel a 2-1 series lead, and frankly, it feels like a massive momentum shift. It's going to be incredibly difficult for TNT to bounce back from a heartbreaker like this. Game 4 is now a must-win for them, and I can't wait to see how they respond. If this game was any indication, we are in for a fantastic finish to this series.