I still remember watching that crucial Game 3 between Ginebra and Meralco with mixed feelings - as a basketball analyst who's followed the PBA for over a decade, I've seen how championship series can turn on a single moment. That night at the Smart Araneta Coliseum, with approximately 18,000 fans creating an electric atmosphere, we witnessed one of those classic PBA finals where momentum shifted like the Manila weather. What struck me most was how both teams approached the game with completely different mentalities - Ginebra playing with the confidence of a defending champion, Meralco with the hunger of a team that's been so close yet so far in previous finals meetings.
The opening quarter set the tone in ways I didn't anticipate. Ginebra came out firing, building an early 8-point lead within the first six minutes, largely through Justin Brownlee's versatile play. What many casual viewers might miss is how much preparation goes into these moments. It reminds me of something I heard from a veteran player during my research: "Marami rin kasi akong pinagdaanan pero hindi ako nawawala mismo din sa loob ng training. Nag-training sila pero nasa gilid ako nagre-recover kaya alam ko pa rin 'yung mga nangyayari sa team ko." This perfectly describes how even when players are sidelined, they remain mentally engaged, studying every play, every defensive scheme. I've seen this firsthand when interviewing injured players who could still diagram entire offensive sets despite being in recovery. This mental preparation showed in Ginebra's execution - their ball movement was crisp, their defensive rotations precise, as if every player knew exactly where to be at the right moment.
Then came the second quarter where Meralco made their move, outscoring Ginebra 28-19. The turning point came around the 4:32 mark when Allein Maliksi hit back-to-back three pointers that completely shifted the arena's energy. I've always believed Maliksi is one of the most underrated scorers in the league, and he proved it that night. What impressed me was how Meralco adjusted their pick-and-roll coverage, often trapping Brownlee and forcing other Ginebra players to make plays. Statistics showed they forced 7 turnovers in that quarter alone, converting them into 12 points. As an analyst, I appreciate these strategic adjustments - it's not just about talent but about problem-solving in real time. Coach Norman Black made a crucial decision to insert Bong Quinto into the lineup earlier than usual, and his energy completely changed the game's tempo.
The third quarter was where championship experience truly showed. With Meralco leading by 5 points early in the second half, Scottie Thompson took over in ways that don't always show up in the stat sheet. His defensive pressure led to two critical steals that resulted in fastbreak opportunities. I've followed Thompson's career since he entered the league, and what separates him is his basketball IQ - he anticipates plays like few others can. At the 6:15 mark, he made a steal near midcourt that led to a Christian Standhardinger dunk, swinging momentum back to Ginebra. This sequence demonstrated why Thompson won MVP honors - it's not just about scoring but impacting the game in multiple ways. The crowd, which had been somewhat quiet during Meralco's run, erupted and you could feel the energy shift throughout the arena.
What fascinated me most was the fourth quarter execution. With the game tied at 85-85 with 3:42 remaining, both teams traded baskets in what felt like a chess match. Brownlee made a difficult fadeaway jumper over Cliff Hodge, then Chris Newsome answered with a driving layup through traffic. These are the moments that define legacies. Having studied numerous PBA finals, I've noticed that championship teams have a certain poise during these pressure situations. Ginebra's ball movement in their halfcourt sets was exceptional - they generated three consecutive high-percentage shots when the game was on the line. Meanwhile, Meralco seemed to rely heavily on one-on-one plays, which worked during stretches but ultimately cost them down the stretch.
The final two minutes were a masterclass in closing out games. LA Tenorio's experience shone through when he drew a crucial offensive foul on Aaron Black with 1:23 remaining. That's the kind of play that veterans make - understanding the situation, positioning, and sacrificing your body. Then came the dagger - Brownlee's three-pointer from the top of the key with 38 seconds left that put Ginebra up by 6. I've watched that replay multiple times, and what stands out is how he created just enough space against a good defensive contest. Some might call it a lucky shot, but having studied Brownlee's career, I know he lives for those moments. His shooting percentage in clutch situations (last 2 minutes, score within 5 points) is approximately 47%, which is remarkable given the difficulty of those shots.
Looking back at the entire game, I'm convinced that the difference came down to championship experience and mental toughness. Ginebra made winning plays when it mattered most, while Meralco had some defensive breakdowns that proved costly. The final score of 98-91 doesn't fully capture how competitive this game was - it was tied 12 times and had 15 lead changes. What I'll remember most is how both teams left everything on the court, but Ginebra's poise in critical moments ultimately made the difference. As someone who's analyzed hundreds of PBA games, I believe this Game 3 performance will be remembered as a classic example of how experience and preparation translate to winning basketball when the pressure is highest. The series isn't over, but Ginebra certainly gained significant psychological advantage with this hard-fought victory.