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Watching that Game 2 buzzer-beater from Jayson Castro felt like déjà vu. I’ve covered the PBA for over a decade, and TNT just has this uncanny ability to snatch momentum when you least expect it. Now, as we head into Game 3, the question on everyone’s mind is clear: Can San Miguel overcome TNT in Game 3 to shift PBA Finals momentum? Honestly, beats us—and I don’t say that lightly. This series has already defied predictions, and if San Miguel doesn’t tighten up, they might find themselves staring at a 2-1 deficit.

Let’s rewind for a second. San Miguel came into the finals looking like the team to beat, with June Mar Fajardo dominating the paint and a supporting cast that seemed unstoppable. But TNT’s backcourt—Castro and Mikey Williams—has been nothing short of spectacular. In Game 2, Williams dropped 32 points, while Castro’s clutch gene showed up yet again. On the flip side, San Miguel’s defense looked porous, allowing TNT to shoot 48% from beyond the arc. That’s just not going to cut it if they want to reclaim control of this series.

From where I’m sitting, San Miguel’s biggest challenge isn’t talent—it’s consistency. They’ve had stretches where they look unbeatable, but then they’ll go cold for five or six minutes, and TNT pounces. I’ve seen this happen before in past finals; momentum swings are brutal, and once TNT gets rolling, they’re tough to stop. If San Miguel can’t find a way to disrupt their rhythm early in Game 3, we might be looking at another heartbreaker for the Beermen.

I spoke with a former PBA coach earlier this week—someone who’s been in these high-stakes situations—and he put it bluntly: “San Miguel has the tools, but they’re playing reactive basketball. TNT is dictating the pace, and until that changes, it’s hard to see a different outcome.” He’s not wrong. Stats from the first two games show TNT averaging 12 fast-break points compared to San Miguel’s 7. That speed is killing them.

Still, I’m not counting San Miguel out just yet. They’ve got championship DNA, and players like CJ Perez and Marcio Lassiter have shown they can step up when it matters. But they need to start strong. In Game 2, they trailed by as many as 14 points in the first half, and digging out of that hole against a team like TNT is nearly impossible. If they can come out with more intensity, limit turnovers—maybe keep it under 12—and get Fajardo more touches in the paint, they’ve got a real shot.

At the end of the day, this series is living up to the hype. It’s gritty, unpredictable, and exactly what basketball fans love. But if San Miguel wants to flip the script, they’ll need more than just adjustments—they’ll need heart. So, can San Miguel overcome TNT in Game 3 to shift PBA Finals momentum? Beats us, but I’m leaning toward a yes—if they play like their backs are against the wall. And honestly, after that Game 2 finish, they should.