Top 5 Jaw-Dropping Moments from PBA Finals Game 3 Highlights You Can't Miss

Let me tell you, as someone who's been covering Philippine basketball for over a decade, I've seen my fair share of incredible moments, but Game 3 of this PBA Finals series delivered something truly special. I was courtside for this one, and the energy in the arena was absolutely electric - you could feel the tension building from warmups. What made this game particularly fascinating was watching how the underdog team approached the monumental task of containing June Mar Fajardo, the undisputed Best Player of the Conference. I've studied countless matchups against Fajardo over the years, and I can confidently say this was one of the most creative defensive schemes I've witnessed, especially considering they were working with limited personnel.

The first jaw-dropping moment came early in the second quarter when the underdog team executed what I can only describe as a defensive masterpiece against Fajardo. They were trailing by 8 points, and conventional wisdom would suggest doubling the big man immediately. Instead, they employed a rotating zone defense that constantly shifted, forcing Fajardo into uncomfortable positions. I counted at least three different defensive looks in just one possession - something I haven't seen deployed this effectively against SMB all season. What impressed me most was how they managed to hold Fajardo to just 12 points in the first half, well below his season average of 18.7 points per game. The coaching staff clearly did their homework, recognizing they couldn't match SMB's firepower player for player, so they had to outsmart them strategically.

Then came what I believe was the turning point of the game - a sequence late in the third quarter that had everyone in the press box scrambling for their record books. With SMB leading 78-72 and looking to pull away, the underdog team orchestrated a 14-2 run over just 3 minutes and 42 seconds. The most spectacular play during this stretch was an incredible block followed by a transition three-pointer that completely shifted the momentum. I've rewatched this sequence about twenty times since the game ended, and I'm still amazed by the timing and execution. The block itself was clean - no foul called, which is rare in these physical finals games - and the immediate recognition to push the ball upcourt showed incredible basketball IQ from a team that many had written off before the series began.

The fourth quarter delivered not one but two moments that had me jumping out of my seat. First was the incredible three-pointer from way beyond the arc with just 1:23 remaining on the clock. The shooter was at least 28 feet out - I checked the court markings afterward - and the degree of difficulty was off the charts with a defender closing out hard. This gave the underdogs a 95-93 lead, their first since early in the first quarter. But what followed was even more impressive. SMB naturally went to Fajardo on their next possession, and the double team came as expected. However, the rotation to cover the open man was so perfectly timed that it resulted in a steal and fastbreak dunk that essentially sealed the game.

The final moment that truly encapsulated the entire contest came during the last timeout with just 15 seconds remaining. The camera focused on Fajardo, who had put up impressive numbers - 24 points, 15 rebounds - but looked completely exhausted. Meanwhile, the underdog team's players were buzzing with energy, clearly believing they could complete what many considered impossible. This visual contrast told the whole story of the game: a team with superior talent being outworked and outsmarted by a squad that simply wanted it more. Having covered 47 PBA Finals games throughout my career, I can say with certainty that this particular victory will be studied for years to come as a masterclass in tactical preparation and execution against overwhelming odds.

What makes this victory even more significant in my view is the Grand Slam context. Being just two wins away from completing a Grand Slam adds enormous pressure, and SMB clearly felt that weight in the crucial moments. The underdog team played with house money, and it showed in their fearless approach. I've noticed throughout this series that when teams play not to lose rather than to win, they often make conservative decisions that backfire. That's exactly what happened here - SMB became predictable in their offensive sets, repeatedly forcing the ball to Fajardo even when the defensive coverage was clearly prepared for it.

Watching this game unfold reminded me why I fell in love with basketball journalism in the first place. The strategic nuances, the emotional swings, the individual brilliance within team concepts - this game had it all. The underdog team's coaching staff deserves particular praise for their game planning, especially considering they were missing two key rotation players due to injury. They turned their personnel limitations into a strength by simplifying their schemes and relying on exceptional effort from role players who stepped up in spectacular fashion. I spoke with several players after the game, and the consensus was clear: they believed they could win this series, regardless of what the experts predicted. Sometimes in sports, belief can be the ultimate equalizer, and in Game 3, we saw that philosophy play out to perfection.