Ginebra vs Meralco Game 3: Key Plays and Final Score Breakdown Revealed

Watching Ginebra and Meralco battle it out in Game 3 felt like witnessing a classic rivalry reborn—the kind where every possession carries the weight of an entire series. I’ve been covering basketball for over a decade, and there’s something special about these two teams locking horns. The final score, 98–92 in favor of Ginebra, only tells part of the story. What stood out to me were the key plays down the stretch, moments where individual growth and team strategy collided to shape the outcome. Let me walk you through how this game unfolded, because honestly, it wasn’t just about who scored the most—it was about who adapted when it mattered.

I remember early in the fourth quarter, Meralco was clinging to a slim lead, and the momentum felt shaky. That’s when Ginebra’s young guard, Jamie Malonzo, drove to the basket and drew a foul in a crowded paint. It wasn’t a flashy move, but it was gutsy. See, I’ve followed Malonzo’s journey, and his coach once shared something that stuck with me: "Dumating siya dito, may talent na rin pero yung physicality yun ang pinagtutulungan naming sa kanya kasi mabait eh. Dalas pa madapa sa game, ngayon lumalaban na siya sa banggaan. Dati takot siya." Back then, he’d often stumble under pressure—literally and figuratively—but in this game, he was fighting through contact, not shying away. That play sparked a 10–2 run for Ginebra, flipping the scoreboard and setting the stage for the final minutes. It’s moments like these that make me appreciate how player development isn’t just about drills; it’s about mindset shifts.

But let’s dig into the problems Ginebra faced earlier. In the first half, their defense looked porous, allowing Meralco to sink 6 three-pointers and rack up 52 points. I counted at least 4 fast-break opportunities where Ginebra’s transition D was just slow—something you can’t afford against a team like Meralco, who capitalizes on open looks. Personally, I think their big men were too hesitant to switch on screens, leaving shooters wide open. And it wasn’t just X’s and O’s; there was a mental block, too. Remember that quote about physicality? It echoed here. Players who used to avoid contact were getting pushed around, and it showed in the rebound battle—Meralco led by 8 boards at halftime. I’ve seen this pattern before: talented guys who need that extra push to embrace the grind. It’s like they have the skills but lack the grit to dominate in crunch time.

So, how did Ginebra turn it around? Well, the solutions weren’t rocket science, but they required discipline. Coach Tim Cone made adjustments at halftime, emphasizing tighter perimeter defense and encouraging his players to be more aggressive in the paint. By the third quarter, Ginebra started doubling Meralco’s primary ball-handler, forcing 5 turnovers that led to easy buckets. I loved seeing Malonzo apply that lesson in physicality—he grabbed 3 offensive rebounds in the fourth alone, and each one felt like a statement. Offensively, they leaned on their veterans; Scottie Thompson dished out 12 assists, and Justin Brownlee dropped 28 points, including a clutch three-pointer with under two minutes left. From my perspective, it’s these in-game adjustments that separate good teams from great ones. They didn’t just rely on talent; they built on their weaknesses, turning fear into fuel.

What does this mean for the rest of the series? For starters, Ginebra’s 2–1 lead now puts pressure on Meralco to respond, but the bigger takeaway is the evolution of players like Malonzo. His journey from being "mabait" and prone to stumbling to fighting through collisions is a lesson for any athlete: growth happens outside your comfort zone. I’ve always believed that basketball is as much about mental toughness as it is about skill, and this game proved it. If Ginebra can maintain this physical edge, they’ll be tough to beat. But Meralco won’t go down easy—they’ve got shooters who can light it up from deep. Looking ahead, I’d bet on this series going the distance, with Game 4 likely being another nail-biter. For fans and players alike, it’s a reminder that in sports, the biggest wins often come from overcoming the battles within.