As I settled into my usual spot on the couch with my game notes, I knew this PBA Finals Game 3 would be special. The energy was palpable even through the screen, and what unfolded was a masterclass in how free throws can make or break a championship game. Let me walk you through what stood out to me most about this crucial matchup between the Portmasters and Giant Lanterns.

The free throw disparity was simply staggering - the kind of statistical gap that makes you sit up and take notice. The Portmasters converted 19 of their 22 free throws, which translates to an impressive 86.4 percent accuracy. Now, in my years of analyzing basketball, I've always maintained that championship teams shoot well from the charity stripe, but this was exceptional. Meanwhile, the Giant Lanterns struggled tremendously, sinking only 21 of their 40 attempts for what I'd call a disappointing 52.5 percent. That's nearly 20 missed free throws in a Finals game! I've always believed that poor free throw shooting indicates either lack of focus or fatigue, and in this case, it might have been both for the Lanterns. The math here is brutal - if they'd even shot at 70 percent, which isn't extraordinary, we might be looking at a completely different ballgame right now.

What really caught my eye though was Enzo Joson's performance. The young guard delivered 12 points, 3 rebounds, 3 steals and 2 assists in what I consider his most complete game of the series so far. Those numbers might not jump off the stat sheet to casual fans, but trust me, his impact went far beyond the box score. His timing on those three steals was impeccable - the kind of defensive instincts that championship teams desperately need. I've been watching Joson develop over the past two seasons, and what impresses me most is his basketball IQ. He doesn't force shots, makes smart passes, and most importantly, he understands when to be aggressive and when to let the game come to him. In a high-pressure Finals environment, that maturity is worth its weight in gold.

The way the Portmasters maintained their composure throughout the game reminded me of why I fell in love with professional basketball in the first place. They played with a certain rhythm that's hard to teach - knowing when to push the tempo and when to slow things down. Their ball movement was crisp, their defensive rotations were mostly on point, and they capitalized on the Giant Lanterns' mistakes. I particularly admired how they didn't get rattled when the Lanterns made their inevitable runs. Championship teams have this almost tangible resilience, and tonight, the Portmasters showed they have it in spades.

Looking at the bigger picture, this game might very well be the turning point in the series. The Giant Lanterns have some serious soul-searching to do, especially at the free throw line. They left approximately 19 points at the charity stripe if we're being technical about it, and in a Finals game where every possession matters, that's simply unacceptable at this level. Meanwhile, the Portmasters demonstrated the kind of disciplined, efficient basketball that wins championships. They took care of the ball, made their free throws, and got contributions from role players when they needed them most.

As I reflect on this game, I'm convinced we witnessed more than just a victory for the Portmasters - we saw a blueprint for how to win under pressure. The final score breakdown tells one story, but the underlying numbers reveal so much more about why this series is shaping up the way it is. If the Giant Lanterns can't address their free throw woes, I'm afraid this might be a short series. But if there's one thing I've learned from watching basketball all these years, it's that championship teams can surprise you when their backs are against the wall.