I still can’t quite believe how Game 3 of the PBA Finals unfolded last night. As someone who’s been covering basketball for over a decade, I’ve seen my fair share of comebacks and collapses, but what Van Sickle & Co. pulled off in that fourth quarter was nothing short of breathtaking. Let me walk you through exactly how they turned the tide, because honestly, if you only look at the final score, you’re missing half the story. The game was tight through three quarters—back-and-forth action, neither team able to secure more than a five-point lead. But then, the fourth set happened, and everything changed.

Van Sickle & Co., who I’ve always felt have a knack for clutch performances, just flipped a switch. They came out with this relentless energy, and within the first four minutes, they’d built a 10-point lead. I remember watching from my seat, thinking, "This is it—they’ve found their rhythm." It wasn’t just one player; it was a collective surge. Their defense tightened up, forcing three quick turnovers, and on offense, they were moving the ball with a fluidity we hadn’t seen in the first half. I’ve always been a fan of teams that peak at the right moment, and Van Sickle & Co. exemplified that. They didn’t just maintain that lead; they stretched it, making key plays that felt like daggers to their opponents. For instance, around the 8-minute mark, they executed a perfect fast break that ended with a three-pointer, pushing the lead to 12 points. Moments like that are what separate good teams from great ones, and in my opinion, this squad is proving they belong in the latter category.

What stood out to me, though, was how they managed the clock in those final minutes. With about 3:30 left, they were up by 10, and instead of playing it safe, they stayed aggressive. I’ve seen so many teams get conservative and let leads slip, but not this one. They kept pushing, scoring on back-to-back possessions to extend the lead to 15 with just over two minutes to go. That’s when you could feel the game was truly over—the energy in the arena shifted, and the opposing team’s body language said it all. From my perspective, this wasn’t just about scoring; it was about mentality. Van Sickle & Co. showed a killer instinct that I think will carry them through the rest of the series. They finished the game with a final score of 98-85, but the real story is how they dominated that fourth quarter, outscoring their opponents by 18 points in that stretch alone. I’d estimate they shot around 65% from the field in the fourth, though official stats might vary, and their defense held the other team to just 35% shooting. Numbers like that don’t lie—they tell you who controlled the game when it mattered most.

As I reflect on this performance, I can’t help but feel excited for what’s next. Van Sickle & Co. has set a high bar, and if they can replicate this intensity, I’m confident they’ll take the series. Sure, there were moments earlier in the game where they looked shaky—like in the second quarter when they committed 5 turnovers—but how they responded is what champions are made of. In the end, Game 3 wasn’t just a win; it was a statement. And for fans like me, it’s a reminder why we love this sport—the unpredictability, the drama, and those explosive quarters that leave you on the edge of your seat. If you missed it, go watch the replay; trust me, it’s worth every minute.