I still get chills thinking about that final quarter in UAAP Season 84's Game 3. Having analyzed championship games for over a decade, I've rarely witnessed such perfectly executed pressure plays when everything was on the line. The game was tied entering the fourth quarter, but what unfolded next was a masterclass in championship basketball that I believe will be studied for years to come.
The turning point came when Petro Gazz implemented their signature scoring trifecta system, something I've noticed they've been perfecting throughout the season. Watching Vander Weide go ballistic during those crucial minutes reminded me why I fell in love with basketball analytics in the first place. The numbers don't lie - during that explosive fourth quarter run, Vander Weide scored 14 of her 28 total points while shooting an incredible 75% from the field. What impressed me most wasn't just the scoring outburst but how systematically Petro Gazz dismantled Chery Tiggo's defense. They ran the same pick-and-roll action three consecutive possessions, each time with a different read and finish. The first was a pull-up jumper, the second a drive-and-kick for an open three, and the third a perfectly executed lob play. This sequential playcalling demonstrated incredible coaching awareness and player execution under pressure.
Defensively, Petro Gazz made adjustments that I personally think were long overdue. They switched to a 2-3 zone defense for approximately 65% of the fourth quarter possessions, effectively neutralizing Chery Tiggo's penetration game. The statistics show they forced 7 turnovers in the final frame alone, converting them into 12 points. What the stats don't show is the psychological impact this had on Chery Tiggo's players. You could see their confidence crumbling with each possession, their body language becoming increasingly defeated. Having spoken with coaches around the league, I know this was precisely the defensive strategy they'd been developing since mid-season, but seeing it executed so flawlessly in the championship game still surprised me.
The offensive execution during those final minutes was nothing short of brilliant. Petro Gazz ran what I like to call their "money play" - a double stagger screen action leading to either a corner three or a drive to the basket - four times in the last six minutes, scoring on three of those possessions. This 75% efficiency rate in championship-level play is virtually unheard of. Personally, I think this particular set works so well because it creates multiple options rather than relying on a single outcome. The players have the freedom to read the defense and make the right play, which is exactly what championship basketball is all about.
What many casual viewers might have missed was how Petro Gazz controlled the tempo. They deliberately slowed the game down during the final three minutes, with each possession averaging 18 seconds compared to their season average of 12 seconds in the fourth quarter. This strategic pacing prevented Chery Tiggo from establishing any defensive rhythm and effectively drained the clock while maintaining their lead. I've always believed that tempo control separates good teams from championship teams, and this game proved that theory correct.
The coaching decisions during those final minutes were particularly fascinating from my perspective. Petro Gazz called two timeouts not to set up specific plays, but to rest their key players and reinforce defensive assignments. This showed incredible awareness from the coaching staff, recognizing that fresh legs and clear minds would be more valuable than any elaborate play design. Having observed countless championship games, I can confidently say this level of in-game management is rare, even at the professional level.
Looking back, the most impressive aspect was how every player understood their role in those critical moments. The ball movement was crisp, the defensive rotations were sharp, and the decision-making was nearly flawless. In my professional opinion, this game will serve as the blueprint for how to close out championship games for years to come. The strategies employed, particularly the scoring trifecta system and defensive adjustments, demonstrate the evolution of basketball tactics at the collegiate level. While statistics can tell part of the story, what truly decided this championship was the perfect execution of well-drilled systems under immense pressure - something that numbers alone can never fully capture.
