Looking back at that incredible UAAP Season 84 Finals Game 3, I still get chills remembering how the momentum shifted in those crucial final minutes. As someone who's covered collegiate volleyball for over a decade, I've seen my fair share of intense matches, but this one truly stood out for its sheer unpredictability and raw emotion. The fourth quarter was particularly fascinating - what started as a neck-and-neck battle gradually transformed into a masterclass in strategic execution under pressure.
I remember watching Vander Weide completely take over the game during that pivotal fourth frame. Honestly, I've rarely seen a player dominate so completely when it mattered most. She scored 18 points in that quarter alone, which is just insane when you consider the championship stakes. Her back-to-back three-pointers around the 5-minute mark completely changed the game's complexion. The way she moved without the ball, creating just enough space to get her shots off - that's the kind of basketball intelligence you can't teach. From my perspective, what made her performance even more impressive was how she involved her teammates while still maintaining her scoring aggression.
Meanwhile, Chery Tiggo's struggles became increasingly painful to watch. Their shooting percentage dropped to a dismal 32% in the fourth quarter, and you could see the frustration building with every missed opportunity. I noticed their point guard particularly struggling - she committed 4 turnovers in the final 6 minutes, which essentially handed momentum to Petro Gazz on a silver platter. Their defensive rotations became slower, their offensive sets more predictable. It's the kind of collapse that coaching staffs will be analyzing for months to come.
The turning point came with about 3:42 left on the clock. Petro Gazz was leading by just two points when they executed what I consider to be the play of the game - a perfectly timed double screen that freed up Vander Weide for an open three. But what made it truly special was how they followed it up with a defensive stop on the other end, converting that into another quick basket. That five-point swing in under 30 seconds essentially broke Chery Tiggo's spirit. I've always believed that championship teams find ways to create these mini-runs at critical moments, and Petro Gazz demonstrated that perfectly.
What impressed me most about Petro Gazz's performance was their balanced offensive approach. While Vander Weide rightfully gets the headlines, their center contributed 12 points and 14 rebounds - including 6 offensive boards that led to second-chance points. Their ball movement was exceptional too, recording 24 assists on 32 made field goals. These numbers tell the story of a team that trusted their system and each other when the pressure was highest.
The final two minutes became more about game management than anything else. Petro Gazz's coach made some brilliant tactical decisions, particularly in their defensive matchups. They switched to a zone defense that completely disrupted Chery Tiggo's rhythm, forcing them into contested outside shots rather than allowing drives to the basket. Having watched this team evolve throughout the season, I can confidently say this was their most complete defensive performance when it mattered most.
As the final buzzer sounded, the scoreboard showed a 78-72 victory for Petro Gazz, but the numbers only tell part of the story. The real narrative was about resilience, about a team that refused to buckle under pressure, and about individual brilliance elevating team performance. In my years covering UAAP basketball, I've learned that championships aren't always won by the most talented team, but by the team that executes best when everything's on the line. This game perfectly embodied that truth, providing a fitting conclusion to what has been one of the most memorable seasons in recent memory. The legacy of this Game 3 performance will undoubtedly influence how future UAAP finals are played and remembered.
