In a performance that will be etched in Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) lore, CJ Perez of San Miguel Beer unleashed a breathtaking fourth-quarter barrage to secure a crucial 95-89 victory over the TNT Tropang Giga. The thrilling Game 3 of the PBA Philippine Cup Finals unfolded on Sunday, January 25, 2026, at the packed MOA Arena in Pasay City, shifting the series momentum decisively.
A Dormant Start Ignites into a Scoring Inferno
For the first three quarters of the high-stakes contest, Perez, the two-time PBA scoring champion from Basista, Pangasinan, was held to a mere three points. However, as the final period commenced, the 6-foot-2 guard transformed into an unstoppable force, single-handedly dismantling the TNT defense with a series of audacious plays.
Clutch Shots Define the Final Minutes
With San Miguel trailing 89-86 and the clock winding down, Perez took matters into his own hands. Displaying incredible fearlessness, he launched an improbable four-pointer over the much taller defender Henry Galinato Jr. The shot found nothing but net, sending the MOA Arena crowd into a frenzy and reclaiming the lead for SMB at 90-89 with just 41.8 seconds remaining.
Perez was far from finished. Merely 15 seconds later, he struck again, this time drilling a crucial three-pointer from the left quarter court. He released the shot over the outstretched arms of Calvin Oftana, extending San Miguel's lead to a commanding 93-89 with only 12.3 ticks left on the game clock.
TNT's Desperate Response Falls Short
The seven-point outburst from Perez forced TNT coach Chot Reyes to call a timeout and devise a last-ditch strategy. The play was designed for Jordan Heading to attempt a game-tying four-pointer, which would have sent the contest into a potential five-minute overtime. However, Heading's hurried shot from near center court fell woefully short at the 4.09-second mark, effectively sealing TNT's fate.
San Miguel's Marcio Lassiter then calmly sank two free throws to establish the final score of 95-89. The victory gave the Beermen a pivotal 2-1 lead in the race-to-four Finals series, putting them in the driver's seat for the championship.
Series Context and Upcoming Decisive Clash
This electrifying win serves as a rousing follow-up to San Miguel's dominant 111-92 triumph in Game 2, which was held on Friday, January 23. TNT had initially drawn first blood in the series, securing a 96-91 victory in Game 1 on Wednesday, January 21. Both of those earlier games were hosted at the Ynares Center in the mountaintop city of Antipolo.
The series now shifts back to the MOA Arena for Game 4, scheduled for Wednesday, January 28. San Miguel will be aiming to secure a potentially decisive 3-1 series lead, moving them within one game of a successful title defense. A victory would also bring head coach Leo Austria closer to his remarkable eighth consecutive All-Filipino conference crown.
Conversely, the TNT Tropang Giga face a must-win situation. Another loss would place them precariously on the brink of elimination, pushing them to the very edge of the championship cliff. A major tactical question now looms for Coach Reyes and his squad: Who will be tasked with containing CJ Perez after his explosive 20-point performance, 17 of which came in the game's decisive final quarter?
The stage is set for another epic confrontation as the PBA Philippine Cup Finals continue to deliver unforgettable basketball drama.
