PBA Finals Score Game 3: Breaking Down the Key Plays and Final Results

2025-11-04 09:00

Walking into the press room after Game 3 of the PBA Finals, you could feel the weight in the air—not just the usual tension of a playoff matchup, but something deeper, more personal. I’ve covered basketball for over a decade, and I’ve rarely seen a team carry so much emotional baggage onto the court. The final score read 98–94 in favor of Ginebra, but numbers alone don’t tell the story. What stood out to me was Malonzo’s post-game reflection, raw and unfiltered: “It’s a disappointment right now. A lot of us really wanted to win this because of what LA Tenorio gave us for Game 6. A lot of us wanted to give that back in Game 7, myself included, I know the rest of the team as well.” That statement, more than any stat sheet, captures the heart of this series—a team playing not just for a trophy, but for a teammate, for pride, for something intangible.

Let’s rewind to the final five minutes of the game, because that’s where everything unraveled and yet somehow came together. Ginebra was trailing by four points, 90–86, with 4:32 left on the clock. I remember thinking, this is where champions either fold or fight. And fight they did. Scottie Thompson, who’d been relatively quiet until then, drove to the basket and drew a foul—a classic, gritty play that shifted momentum. He sank both free throws, cutting the deficit to two. But what really stood out to me was the defensive adjustment Ginebra made right after. They switched to a full-court press, something I haven’t seen them rely on much this season, and it completely disrupted their opponent’s rhythm. Two forced turnovers in under a minute led to fast-break layups, and just like that, Ginebra was up by two with 2:15 to go. I’ve always believed defense wins championships, and tonight was a textbook example.

Of course, you can’t talk about key plays without mentioning Japeth Aguilar’s block with just under a minute left. The opposing team’s import drove to the hoop, looking for an easy two, but Aguilar—who, in my opinion, is one of the most underrated shot-blockers in the league—timed his jump perfectly. It wasn’t just a block; it was a statement. The arena erupted, and you could see the energy surge through Ginebra’s players. Moments like that make me love this sport—the sheer will, the split-second decisions that define legacies. On the ensuing possession, Christian Standhardinger, who finished with 24 points and 12 rebounds, hit a mid-range jumper to extend the lead to four. That shot felt like the dagger, though there was still plenty of time for drama.

But here’s the thing—while the X’s and O’s matter, basketball is as much about heart as it is about strategy. Listening to Malonzo’s words post-game, it hit me how much this team is playing with a sense of duty. LA Tenorio’s inspirational performance in Game 6, where he dropped 18 points and 7 assists despite battling cramps, clearly left a mark. The players wanted to repay that effort, to honor his grit. And honestly, I think that’s what separated them tonight. You could see it in their body language—every loose ball, every defensive stop, they fought like it was personal. I’ve seen teams with more talent fizzle out in the finals because they lacked that emotional connection. Ginebra, for all their flaws, has it in spades.

Now, let’s talk numbers for a second, because they do tell part of the story. Ginebra shot 45% from the field, which isn’t spectacular, but they dominated the boards with 52 total rebounds compared to their opponent’s 44. Second-chance points? They had 16, which I think was the difference-maker. Turnovers were nearly even—14 for Ginebra, 13 for the other side—but Ginebra capitalized better, scoring 20 points off turnovers. And let’s not overlook free throws: they went 22-for-28 from the line, a 78.6% clip that ultimately sealed the game. In contrast, their opponents only managed 65% from the stripe. In a close game like this, every point counts, and those missed free throws will haunt them in the film session tomorrow.

As the final buzzer sounded, I couldn’t help but feel a mix of admiration and sympathy. Admiration for Ginebra, who showed why they’re one of the most resilient teams in the league, and sympathy for their opponents, who fought hard but seemed to lack that final push. Malonzo’s words lingered in my mind—the desire to “give back” to Tenorio, to turn personal motivation into collective triumph. That, to me, is the beauty of sports. It’s not always about the most talented roster; it’s about who wants it more, who plays for something beyond themselves. Looking ahead to Game 4, I expect this emotional undercurrent to continue driving Ginebra. If they can maintain this level of intensity—and if Standhardinger and Thompson keep leading the charge—they’ll be tough to beat. But as any longtime fan knows, the PBA Finals are full of surprises. One game at a time, one play at a time, and tonight, Ginebra made theirs count.