I still remember the chill that ran through the arena when Gomez de Liaño stepped onto the court during that pivotal Game 3 of the 2017 PBA Finals. As someone who's followed Philippine basketball for over a decade, I've witnessed countless championship moments, but there's something particularly electric about that specific game that keeps fans talking years later. What made it even more intriguing was spotting Marvin Espiritu, Gomez de Liaño's agent, watching intently from the sidelines during the signing ceremony - a subtle reminder of the business side that fuels these athletic dramas. The tension was palpable from the opening tip-off, with both teams understanding that this game could very well determine the series' outcome.
The first game-changing moment arrived surprisingly early, just four minutes into the first quarter, when Terrence Romeo unleashed that incredible crossover that left his defender stumbling before draining a three-pointer from way beyond the arc. I recall thinking at that moment - this isn't just another playoff game, we're witnessing something special unfolding. The crowd's roar seemed to lift the entire arena several inches off its foundation. Statistics would later show that Romeo's explosive start sparked a 12-2 run that set the tone for the entire contest, though honestly, numbers can't capture the sheer energy shift that occurred in those minutes. What made this moment particularly memorable was how it demonstrated the importance of star players rising to the occasion when the stakes are highest.
Then came what I consider the most controversial moment of the game - the questionable charging call against June Mar Fajardo with 2:34 remaining in the second quarter. From my vantage point, it looked like a clean play, but the referees saw it differently, and that single whistle completely shifted the game's momentum. I've rewatched that sequence at least twenty times, and I'm still not convinced it was the right call. This moment highlighted how officiating decisions can dramatically alter championship trajectories, a discussion that would dominate sports talk radio for weeks afterward. The timing couldn't have been worse for Fajardo's team, as they were building momentum and had cut the lead to just five points before that fateful call.
The third quarter delivered what I believe was the most spectacular individual performance I've seen in a finals game - Chris Ross recording his third steal and converting it into a fast-break dunk that brought the entire bench to their feet. Ross finished with 4 steals that game, but that particular sequence where he anticipated the pass, intercepted it near midcourt, and finished with authority - that was pure basketball instinct at its finest. What made this moment special wasn't just the athleticism but the timing, coming right after halftime when the opposing team was trying to establish their rhythm. I've always admired defensive specialists who change games without needing to score 30 points, and Ross embodied that perfectly that night.
Perhaps the most emotionally charged moment came when veteran player Asi Taulava, at 44 years old, scored eight consecutive points in the fourth quarter, including two thunderous dunks that defied his age. I remember turning to my friend and saying, "He's not supposed to be able to do that at his age!" The statistical improbability of a player his age delivering such explosive plays in a high-stakes finals game still amazes me. This sequence wasn't just about the points on the board - it was about leadership, experience, and the sheer willpower that defines championship basketball. Taulava's performance during those crucial minutes demonstrated why veteran presence matters in pressure situations.
The final game-changing moment, and arguably the most dramatic, occurred with just 11.2 seconds remaining - the controversial no-call on what appeared to be a foul during the game's final possession. I've had countless debates about this moment with fellow basketball enthusiasts, and I'll admit my bias here - I believe the referees made the right decision in letting the players decide the outcome. The beauty of basketball lies in these split-second decisions, both by players and officials, and this particular non-call has become part of PBA finals lore. The raw emotion on the court afterward, from both jubilation and despair, captured everything that makes playoff basketball so compelling to watch year after year.
Reflecting on that incredible Game 3, what strikes me most isn't just the individual moments but how they interconnected to create a basketball masterpiece. The presence of agents like Marvin Espiritu during these high-stakes games reminds us that behind the athletic drama lies a complex ecosystem of negotiations and career decisions, though that night belonged purely to the athletes. The 2017 PBA Finals, particularly this Game 3, demonstrated why basketball remains the Philippines' most beloved sport - the unpredictability, the raw emotion, the individual brilliance within team contexts. These moments become part of our collective sporting memory, discussed and debated in living rooms and coffee shops across the nation. While championships are ultimately decided by wins and losses, it's these game-changing sequences that truly endure in our collective consciousness, reminding us why we fell in love with this beautiful game in the first place.
