I still get chills thinking about that final quarter of Game 3 in the UAAP Season 84 Basketball Finals. As someone who's covered collegiate basketball for over a decade, I can confidently say this was one of those rare games that had everything - heart-stopping momentum swings, individual brilliance, and that electric atmosphere only a championship-deciding game can produce. What made this particular matchup so memorable wasn't just the outcome, but how we got there, especially during those frantic final minutes that had fans on the edge of their seats.
The fourth quarter began with both teams trading baskets like heavyweight boxers exchanging blows. I remember glancing at the clock with about seven minutes remaining, noticing how the scoreboard kept flipping like a metronome - 68-67, 70-69, 72-71. You could feel the tension building with each possession, every defensive stop met with roaring approval from the stands. Having witnessed numerous UAAP finals throughout the years, I've learned to recognize when a game is approaching its boiling point, and this one was simmering perfectly. The players' body language told the entire story - clenched fists after big plays, determined stares during timeouts, and that visible exhaustion that only comes from leaving everything on the court.
Then came Vander Weide's explosive performance that essentially decided the championship. I've seen players get hot before, but this was something else entirely. Between the 4:32 and 1:15 marks of the fourth quarter, she single-handedly went on a 9-0 run that included two three-pointers and an and-one opportunity. Her third three-pointer during that stretch was particularly impressive - a contested shot from about 24 feet with the shot clock winding down. Statistics later showed she scored 14 of her team's final 18 points, finishing with 28 points total on 52% shooting from the field. What amazed me wasn't just the scoring outburst but her efficiency - she didn't force bad shots, instead letting the game come to her within the flow of the offense. Having followed her development since her rookie season, I've always believed she had this level of performance in her, and seeing it manifest on the biggest stage was genuinely satisfying.
Meanwhile, Chery Tiggo's struggles became increasingly painful to watch. Their offense, which had been so fluid throughout the season, suddenly looked stagnant and predictable. I counted at least four consecutive possessions where they settled for contested jumpers early in the shot clock instead of working for higher-percentage looks. Their shooting percentages tell the grim story - they shot just 38% from the field in the fourth quarter and an abysmal 25% from beyond the arc. The numbers get even uglier when you consider they committed 6 turnovers in the final period alone, with several coming at the most inopportune moments. From my perspective watching from courtside, their body language gradually deteriorated as Petro Gazz's run continued - shoulders slumping after missed opportunities, frustrated gestures following miscommunications on defense. It was the kind of collapse that's difficult to watch unfold, especially for a team that had fought so hard to reach this stage.
Petro Gazz's three-pronged offensive approach deserves special recognition for how effectively it dismantled Chery Tiggo's defensive schemes. Their "scoring trifecta" as the announcers called it involved a beautiful balance between perimeter shooting, mid-range game, and interior presence. The statistics bear this out - they recorded 24 points in the paint, 18 from mid-range, and 15 from three-point territory in the second half alone. What impressed me most was their ball movement, tallying 28 assists on 35 made field goals throughout the game. Having analyzed countless championship teams, I've always believed that balanced offensive production separates good teams from great ones, and Petro Gazz demonstrated this principle perfectly when it mattered most. Their ability to score from all three levels made them virtually impossible to defend down the stretch, particularly when Vander Weide's individual brilliance forced defensive adjustments that created opportunities elsewhere.
Reflecting on this game months later, I'm still struck by how perfectly it encapsulated what makes collegiate basketball so compelling. The raw emotion, the high stakes, the individual heroics - it had all the elements of an instant classic. From my vantage point, this wasn't just a game but a narrative masterpiece, complete with rising action, climax, and resolution. Vander Weide's fourth-quarter explosion will rightfully be remembered as one of the great individual performances in UAAP finals history, while Petro Gazz's systematic dismantling of a quality opponent should be studied by coaches at all levels. These are the games that remind me why I fell in love with covering basketball - the stories that emerge from competition, the moments of brilliance under pressure, the life lessons playing out before our eyes. I have no doubt this game will be remembered and discussed for years to come, not just for its outcome but for how beautifully the drama unfolded.
