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 still find myself rewatching the highlights, catching details I missed during the live broadcast. What made this game particularly fascinating was the strategic backdrop – here was a team just two wins away from achieving that elusive Grand Slam, facing a San Miguel Beermen squad anchored by none other than June Mar Fajardo, the undeniable Best Player of the Conference. The matchup presented a fascinating personnel puzzle that had coaches scratching their heads all week.

I remember thinking before tip-off how the underdog team would possibly contain Fajardo with their limited defensive options. They were missing their primary rim protector, and the stats showed Fajardo had averaged 28 points and 15 rebounds against them in the previous two meetings. The first jaw-dropping moment came early in the second quarter when Fajardo received a double-team near the elbow, something we rarely see because he typically demolishes such schemes. Instead of forcing a shot, he made this incredible no-look bounce pass through three defenders to an cutting Arwind Santos for an and-one dunk. The arena went absolutely silent for a split second before erupting – you could feel the wind get knocked out of the opposing team's sails. What impressed me most wasn't just the vision, but how Fajardo recognized the defensive scheme they'd been practicing specifically for him and immediately identified its weakness.

The third quarter delivered what I consider the most strategically brilliant sequence of the entire playoffs. Down by 9 points with their offense stagnating, the underdog team ran this beautiful set play that involved four quick passes ending with a corner three-pointer as the shot clock expired. But what happened next was even more impressive – they immediately set up a full-court press that forced a turnover from SMB's primary ballhandler, leading to a fastbreak dunk that cut the lead to 4. The entire sequence took just 17 seconds but completely shifted the game's momentum. I've reviewed the tape multiple times since, and what's remarkable is how every player moved in perfect synchronization, something you'd expect from a team at full strength, not one struggling with personnel limitations against a powerhouse like SMB.

Now, I have to talk about the fourth quarter comeback because honestly, I haven't seen anything like it since the 2016 Commissioner's Cup finals. With just under 6 minutes remaining and trailing by 11 points, the underdogs went on a 15-2 run that had everyone in the press box literally standing for the entire duration. The most stunning moment came at the 2:34 mark when their backup point guard, who'd been shooting just 28% from three-point range throughout the conference, hit back-to-back contested threes over Fajardo's outstretched arms. The second one was especially ridiculous – he was falling away to his left with the shot clock down to 1 second. Sometimes in this business, you just witness moments that defy all statistical probability, and this was definitely one of them.

The final minute provided what might become an iconic PBA moment for years to come. Tied at 98 with 8.7 seconds left, everyone in the building knew who was getting the ball – Fajardo had dominated the paint all night with 31 points and 18 rebounds. But what unfolded was this brilliant defensive adjustment that I'm still dissecting. Instead of doubling Fajardo immediately, they fronted him with their power forward while having a guard dig down from the weak side, forcing an errant pass that was stolen near midcourt. The resulting fastbreak layup as time expired wasn't just a game-winner – it was a masterpiece of defensive planning against overwhelming odds. Watching the coaching staff embrace on the sidelines, you could see this wasn't accidental; they had prepared for exactly this scenario despite their personnel limitations.

What makes these highlights so compelling isn't just the athletic brilliance we expect from PBA finals, but the strategic depth on display. Having covered Fajardo's entire career, I can confidently say this was one of his most complete performances despite the loss – his basketball IQ shone through even when the game didn't go his way. Meanwhile, the underdog team's ability to execute their game plan with such precision despite being outmatched on paper speaks volumes about their coaching and preparation. These five moments collectively demonstrate why basketball remains the country's most beloved sport – it's not always about having the best players, but about making the most of what you have when it matters most. I'd argue this Game 3 will be studied by coaches for years as an example of how to scheme against a dominant force like Fajardo, and frankly, it's games like these that remind me why I fell in love with covering this sport in the first place.