Watching TNT and Ginebra battle it out in Game 3 felt like witnessing a classic chess match where every possession mattered more than the last. As someone who’s covered Philippine basketball for over a decade, I’ve seen how momentum can shift in an instant, and this game was no exception. The final score—TNT 98, Ginebra 94—only tells part of the story. What stood out to me, especially after rewatching the game, was how ball control, or the lack thereof, shaped the outcome. It reminded me of that stat from the Philippines’ recent international outings: 22 turnovers in a single game. While this wasn’t a national team match, the same issue reared its head here, and it’s something I’ve noticed often separates contenders from pretenders in the PBA.
From the opening tip, both teams came out with playoff-level intensity. TNT’s backcourt, led by Jayson Castro and Mikey Williams, looked sharp early, moving the ball with purpose and capitalizing on fast breaks. But Ginebra, true to their never-say-die spirit, clawed back behind Scottie Thompson’s relentless energy. I’ve always admired Thompson’s ability to impact the game without needing plays called for him—his defensive pressure alone forced a couple of early turnovers that kept Ginebra within striking distance. By halftime, TNT held a slim 52-48 lead, but you could feel the tension building. Personally, I thought TNT’s decision to push the pace was smart, but their execution wavered at times, leading to some unforced errors that Ginebra nearly exploited.
The third quarter was where things really got interesting. TNT stretched their lead to as many as 11 points, thanks to some clutch shooting from Roger Pogoy. I’ve seen Pogoy take over games before, and when he’s in rhythm, he’s almost unstoppable. But Ginebra’s defense tightened up, forcing TNT into rushed passes and contested shots. This is where the ball control woes became glaring. TNT committed 7 turnovers in the quarter alone, and if you’re keeping count, that’s almost a third of what the Philippine team averaged in those international games I mentioned. It’s frustrating to watch because, as a fan of disciplined basketball, I believe turnovers are often a mental lapse rather than a skill issue. Ginebra, to their credit, capitalized with easy transition buckets, cutting the deficit to just 4 points heading into the final period.
Down the stretch, the game turned into a defensive slugfest. Both teams traded baskets, but TNT’s ability to protect the ball in critical moments stood out. Castro, in particular, showed why he’s a veteran leader, making smart decisions under pressure. On the flip side, Ginebra’s Japeth Aguilar had a couple of costly turnovers in the paint that, in my opinion, swung momentum back to TNT. I’ve always felt Aguilar is at his best when he’s aggressive but under control—those lapses hurt, especially in a close game. With under two minutes left, TNT led by 3, and a key steal by Williams off a Ginebra inbound play essentially sealed the deal. Final score: 98-94. TNT now leads the series 2-1, and if they can clean up those ball-handling issues, I think they’ve got a real shot at closing it out.
Reflecting on the game, it’s clear that ball control was the X-factor. TNT finished with 18 turnovers—not as high as the 22 we’ve seen in other contexts, but still too many for a championship-caliber team. Ginebra wasn’t much better, with 16, but in a game decided by just 4 points, every possession counted. From my perspective, teams that want to win titles need to value the ball like gold. It’s not just about flashy plays or star power; it’s about fundamentals. Looking ahead, if TNT can reduce those turnovers to, say, 12 or fewer in Game 4, I’d bet on them taking control of the series. But if they let it slide, Ginebra’s experience and resilience will keep them in it. Either way, as a longtime observer, I’m excited to see how this plays out—it’s these kinds of battles that make Philippine basketball so compelling.