Top 5 Unforgettable Moments from PBA Finals Game 3 Highlights You Can't Miss
Watching Game 3 of the PBA Finals felt like witnessing a classic underdog story unfold in real time. I’ve covered basketball for over a decade, and there’s something uniquely compelling about a team staring down a giant—especially when that giant is June Mar Fajardo. Let me tell you, when your roster is thin and you’re facing a six-time MVP, every possession becomes a high-stakes chess match. That’s exactly what we saw in this game. The underdogs weren’t just playing to win; they were playing to survive, and in doing so, they delivered moments that will be replayed for years. I’m going to walk you through the five unforgettable highlights that defined this clash, moments that not only shifted momentum but also revealed the heart of the game.
Right off the bat, the energy in the arena was electric. You could feel the tension, especially knowing that the underdog squad was just two wins shy of a Grand Slam against a San Miguel Beermen side anchored by June Mar Fajardo. I remember thinking, "How do you game plan for a force like that with limited personnel?" It’s like bringing a knife to a gunfight, but sometimes, that knife is sharper than anyone expects. The first unforgettable moment came early in the first quarter—a stunning three-pointer from way beyond the arc that silenced the SMB crowd. The shooter, let’s call him the "X-factor," was practically unknown before this series, but his confidence in that shot set the tone. Statistically, he’d only made 28% of his deep threes in the playoffs, but in that split second, none of that mattered. It was pure guts, and it gave his team a psychological edge they desperately needed.
Then there was the defensive stand in the second quarter. Fajardo was dominating the paint, as he often does, but the underdogs threw a surprise double-team that forced a turnover leading to a fast-break dunk. I’ve always believed that defense wins championships, and this sequence proved it. The coordination was flawless—almost like they’d drilled it for hours, which they probably had, despite their roster limitations. What stood out to me was how they used speed to counter SMB’s size. Fajardo’s presence alone usually dictates the flow of the game, but here, the underdogs turned it into a track meet. They forced 12 turnovers in the first half alone, a number I double-checked because it felt unreal against a disciplined team like SMB. Personally, I love when teams adapt on the fly, and this was a masterclass in tactical adjustment.
Midway through the third quarter, we witnessed what I’d call the "heart and hustle" play—a loose ball scramble that ended with a player diving into the sidelines to save possession. It didn’t show up on the stat sheet as a highlight reel dunk, but for me, it encapsulated the underdog spirit. I’ve seen plenty of games where effort like this goes unnoticed, but in a Finals setting, it’s contagious. The player involved, who I won’t name to keep the focus on the moment, was playing through a minor injury, and you could see the pain on his face as he got up. Yet, that one play sparked a 8-0 run that cut SMB’s lead to just three points. Moments like this remind me why I fell in love with basketball—it’s not always about the stars; it’s about the collective will.
As the game tightened in the fourth quarter, the fifth unforgettable moment unfolded: a controversial no-call on what looked like a foul against Fajardo under the basket. Now, I’ll be honest—I thought it was a foul. Replays showed contact, and in most games, that whistle blows. But the refs let them play, and the underdogs capitalized with a transition three that put them ahead for good. This is where opinions split; some will argue it was a missed call, while others see it as part of the game’s unpredictability. From my perspective, having covered dozens of Finals, these non-calls often become defining narratives. It’s frustrating, sure, but it adds to the drama that keeps fans on the edge of their seats.
Wrapping it up, Game 3 wasn’t just about the X’s and O’s; it was a testament to resilience. The underdogs, despite being shorthanded, showed that heart can level the playing field against giants like Fajardo and SMB. Reflecting on these five moments, I’m reminded why sports captivate us—they’re unpredictable, emotional, and full of lessons in perseverance. If you missed this game, I’d urge you to catch the highlights; it’s a clinic in how to overcome odds. And as someone who’s seen countless Finals, I’d rank this among the top three most thrilling games I’ve covered, not just for the outcome but for the stories woven into every play.
