Walking into the Game 3 finals of the PBA, I had a feeling we were in for something special—and boy, did it deliver. As someone who’s spent years analyzing basketball at both the amateur and professional levels, I’ve come to appreciate how the smallest details can tilt the outcome of a championship-level game. This matchup between the Portmasters and the Giant Lanterns was no exception. From the opening tip-off, you could sense the tension, but what really stood out to me was how one team capitalized on opportunities that the other simply let slip away. And if there’s one thing I’ve learned, it’s that free throws—often overlooked in the heat of the moment—can tell you more about a team’s composure than any flashy dunk or deep three-pointer.
Let’s talk numbers for a second, because they don’t lie. The Portmasters sank 19 of their 22 free throws, which translates to an eye-popping 86.4 percent. On the other side, the Giant Lanterns managed to convert just 21 of 40 attempts, landing at a disappointing 52.5 percent. Now, I’ve seen my fair share of games where free throws decided the fate of a team, but this discrepancy was staggering. It’s not just about missing shots; it’s about momentum. Every time the Lanterns clanked one off the rim, you could feel the energy shift. Meanwhile, the Portmasters played with a kind of calm assurance—each free throw felt like a statement. I remember thinking midway through the third quarter, "If the Lanterns don’t fix this, they’re handing this game away." And honestly, that’s exactly what happened.
But it wasn’t just about free throws. One player who truly caught my eye was Enzo Joson. He finished with 12 points, 3 rebounds, 3 steals, and 2 assists—a stat line that might not scream "MVP," but his impact went beyond the box score. Joson has this knack for being in the right place at the right time, and his three steals were momentum killers for the Lanterns. I’ve always believed that defense wins championships, and Joson embodied that. His ability to read passing lanes and create transition opportunities gave the Portmasters the extra possessions they needed to build and maintain their lead. It’s players like him—the ones who do the dirty work—that often make the difference in high-stakes games.
Of course, the final score didn’t come down to just one aspect of the game. The Portmasters’ ball movement, their defensive rotations, and even their decision-making in crunch time were nearly flawless. But let’s be real—the Lanterns had their chances. Missing 19 free throws in a finals game? That’s almost unforgivable. I’ve been in locker rooms where coaches drill free throws until players’ arms go numb, and for good reason. In a game where the margin for error is razor-thin, every point counts. The Lanterns’ inability to convert from the charity stripe cost them dearly, and as an analyst, it’s frustrating to see a team with so much talent struggle with the fundamentals.
As the clock wound down, it became clear that the Portmasters had executed their game plan to perfection. They played smart, disciplined basketball, and it showed in the final tally. Reflecting on the game, I can’t help but feel that the Lanterns let this one slip through their fingers—literally. Free throws might seem like a basic part of the game, but under pressure, they reveal a team’s mental toughness. The Portmasters had it; the Lanterns didn’t. And while there were plenty of highlight-reel plays and standout performances, it’s the unglamorous details—like those 22 free throws—that ultimately shaped the outcome. If the Lanterns want to bounce back in Game 4, they’ll need to go back to the basics and rediscover the focus that brought them this far. For now, though, the Portmasters have earned this win, and in my book, they’ve set the bar for what it takes to close out a finals game.
