Badminton How To Play

I've got to admit, watching Game 3 of the PBA Commissioner's Cup Finals between San Miguel and TNT was absolutely electric. The energy in that arena was something you could practically feel through the screen, and as someone who's followed Philippine basketball for over a decade, I can confidently say this series is shaping up to be one of the most memorable in recent years. The way these two teams went at each other from the opening tip-off reminded me why I fell in love with this sport in the first place.

Right from the start, San Miguel came out with this incredible defensive intensity that I haven't seen from them in quite some time. They were switching everything, communicating perfectly, and honestly, they looked like a completely different team compared to their Game 2 performance. June Mar Fajardo was simply unstoppable in the paint - the big man dropped 28 points and grabbed 15 rebounds, completely dominating the interior. What impressed me most was how he adjusted his game after TNT tried to double-team him in the first quarter. Instead of forcing shots, he started kicking the ball out to open shooters, and that's when San Miguel's offense really started clicking. CJ Perez was absolutely sensational too, contributing 24 points with that explosive driving ability that makes him so special to watch.

But let's talk about TNT's resilience because that was something else entirely. Down by as many as 14 points in the third quarter, they could have easily folded, but Mikey Williams and Roger Pogoy just refused to let their team quit. Williams finished with 32 points, including six three-pointers, and every time San Miguel seemed ready to pull away, he'd hit another ridiculous shot to keep TNT within striking distance. What really stood out to me was their defensive adjustment in the fourth quarter - they started trapping San Miguel's ball handlers much higher on the court, and it resulted in several crucial turnovers that nearly turned the game around. I've always believed that championship teams need to win in different ways, and TNT showing they can grind through adversity like that speaks volumes about their character.

The final five minutes were pure basketball theater. With the score tied at 95-95 and about three minutes left, both teams were trading baskets like heavyweight boxers exchanging blows. There was this one possession where San Miguel ran the same pick-and-roll action three times in a row before finally getting the look they wanted - that's championship-level execution right there. Meanwhile, TNT's half-court defense was making San Miguel work for every single point, fighting through screens and closing out on shooters with incredible discipline. The game ultimately came down to free throws, with San Miguel converting 78% from the line compared to TNT's 68% - that ten percentage point difference might not seem like much, but in a game decided by just four points, it made all the difference.

Looking at the bigger picture, what really stood out to me was how both coaches managed their rotations. San Miguel's Leo Austria made this brilliant move by going with a smaller lineup for stretches, which created mismatches that TNT struggled to counter. On the other side, TNT's Chot Reyes kept his starters in for extended minutes, trusting his veterans to handle the pressure of a must-win game. Personally, I would have liked to see TNT's bench get more involved earlier, but you can't argue with the results - their main guys nearly pulled off an incredible comeback.

As the final buzzer sounded with San Miguel taking Game 3 102-98, what struck me most was the sheer intensity both teams brought for all forty-eight minutes. This wasn't just another playoff game - it felt like a statement from both squads. San Miguel showed they can win gritty, physical games, while TNT proved they have the heart to compete with anyone. Having covered numerous PBA finals over the years, I can tell you that games like these often become turning points in series, and with San Miguel now leading 2-1, the pressure shifts squarely to TNT for Game 4. If they can clean up their free throw shooting and get more production from their role players, this series could easily swing back in their favor. But right now, San Miguel has all the momentum, and frankly, they look like a team that's rediscovered their championship DNA at the perfect time.