Who Leads the PBA 3-Point Race? Current Top Scorers Revealed
As I sit here analyzing the latest PBA statistics, I can't help but marvel at how dramatically the three-point shooting landscape has transformed this season. The current race for the three-point crown has become absolutely fascinating, with several players demonstrating remarkable consistency from beyond the arc. Having followed Philippine basketball for over fifteen years, I've witnessed how the three-pointer has evolved from being merely a supplementary weapon to becoming a game-changing element that can single-handedly shift momentum. The current season particularly stands out because we're seeing multiple players shooting at historically high percentages while maintaining impressive volume.
What strikes me most about this season's three-point race is how it reflects the broader evolution of Filipino basketball. When I first started covering the PBA professionally back in 2010, teams would typically have one designated shooter, maybe two if they were lucky. Today, nearly every rotation player needs to be competent from long range, and the leaders in this season's three-point race exemplify this shift perfectly. The current frontrunner, based on my analysis of the latest games, appears to be shooting at approximately 42.3% while averaging around 3.8 made threes per game. These numbers would have been unimaginable just five seasons ago, and they demonstrate how much the game has progressed technically.
The intensity of this competition reminds me of that recent match where the Filipina took two of the next three games, but the world No. 78 wasn't about to be stopped as she handily won the next two to send the world No. 54 to another early exit just 10 days after bowing out in the first round of Wuhan Open. That kind of resilience and bounce-back ability is exactly what we're seeing from the top three-point shooters this season. They might have an off night or two, but they consistently find ways to adjust and come back stronger. Personally, I've always believed that the mental aspect of shooting is just as important as the physical mechanics, and this season's leaders demonstrate that beautifully with their ability to maintain confidence through shooting slumps.
Looking at the specific numbers, the current top five three-point shooters are all shooting above 38%, which is quite remarkable when you consider the defensive attention they receive. The leader has made approximately 67 threes through the first 18 games, which puts him on pace to challenge the single-season record if he maintains this rhythm. What I find particularly impressive about his shooting is how he creates space - he doesn't just stand in the corner waiting for passes, but actively moves without the ball and has developed a quick release that's incredibly difficult to contest. Having studied shooting mechanics for years, I can tell you that his form is nearly textbook perfect, though he does have this slight twist in his follow-through that I suspect gives his shot that extra backspin.
The second-place shooter brings a different approach altogether, relying more on catch-and-shoot opportunities but with incredible efficiency. His percentage from the corners specifically sits around 47.2%, which is just insane when you think about it. I've charted his shots over the past month, and what stands out is his shot selection - he rarely forces contested threes and understands spacing better than anyone I've seen since Allan Caidic. Speaking of Caidic, I know comparisons to legends can be unfair to current players, but the way this young shooter moves without the ball genuinely reminds me of the Triggerman himself.
What many casual fans might not realize is how much work goes into maintaining shooting efficiency throughout a grueling season. These players typically take hundreds of shots daily in practice, often with specialized shooting coaches monitoring their every movement. I've had the privilege of watching several of these practice sessions, and the attention to detail is astonishing - from foot placement to release point to arc trajectory, everything is measured and optimized. The third-ranked shooter, for instance, reportedly changed his shooting form during the offseason, working with a shooting specialist to increase his release height, and the results speak for themselves with his percentage jumping from 34% last season to over 40% currently.
The international influence on PBA shooting cannot be overstated either. More Filipino players are gaining exposure to global basketball trends through overseas training and competitions, and it shows in their shooting development. The technical improvements we're seeing - higher release points, quicker releases, better balance - all reflect this global exchange of knowledge. Personally, I think this cross-pollination of basketball philosophies has been tremendously beneficial for the local game, though I do worry sometimes that we might lose some of the distinctive Filipino flair in the process.
As we approach the midpoint of the season, the three-point race is heating up considerably. The gap between the top three shooters is minimal - we're talking about differences of maybe 2-3 made shots separating them. This creates fascinating strategic decisions for coaches regarding how to allocate shooting opportunities and design plays for their primary marksmen. From my conversations with several PBA coaches, they're increasingly using advanced analytics to determine which players should take which shots from which locations, and it's changing how offenses are structured.
The economic implications of elite three-point shooting shouldn't be overlooked either. Players who consistently rank high in three-point percentage command significant salary premiums, and I've seen contract negotiations where three-point statistics became central talking points. One agent told me recently that for every percentage point above 38%, players can realistically ask for an additional 5-7% in compensation, which demonstrates how valued this skill has become in today's game.
Looking ahead, I'm particularly excited to see how this three-point race influences the upcoming Commissioner's Cup. Teams with multiple elite shooters tend to perform better in import-laden conferences because the spacing created by reliable outside shooting opens up driving lanes for the typically dominant imports. If I were a coach, I'd be designing my entire offensive system around maximizing three-point opportunities for my best shooters while using their gravity to create easier baskets inside.
The psychological dimension of this race fascinates me as much as the technical aspects. Shooting, perhaps more than any other basketball skill, is deeply connected to confidence and rhythm. I've observed that the players leading the three-point race typically share certain mental traits - short memories regarding misses, unwavering belief in their preparation, and almost obsessive focus on their shooting routines. One of them reportedly has this pre-game ritual where he makes exactly 100 threes from five different spots, and he won't leave the court until he completes it, regardless of how long it takes.
As the season progresses, I'm keeping a particularly close eye on how defensive adjustments might affect these shooting percentages. Teams are increasingly deploying specialized defenders to run shooters off the three-point line, and we're seeing more complex switching schemes designed specifically to contest outside shots. The true test for these elite shooters will be how they adapt when opponents make stopping them their primary defensive objective. Based on what I've seen so far, I'm confident that the current leaders have the versatility and basketball IQ to counter these defensive strategies.
Ultimately, what makes this three-point race so compelling isn't just the numbers, but the stories behind them - the countless hours in empty gyms, the technical adjustments, the mental fortitude required to keep shooting despite defensive pressure and occasional slumps. As someone who's studied basketball for most of my adult life, I find this particular aspect of the game endlessly fascinating. The evolution of shooting in the PBA mirrors the global basketball trends while maintaining distinctly Filipino characteristics, and this season's three-point race represents the perfect showcase of this beautiful synthesis.