Who Leads the PBA 3-Point Race? Top Scorers and Stats Revealed

As I sit here scrolling through the latest PBA stats, I can't help but get excited about the ongoing three-point race this season. Having followed Philippine basketball for over a decade, I've developed a real appreciation for shooters who can change the game with their long-range accuracy. The current competition reminds me of that recent tennis match where world No. 78 demonstrated incredible resilience - winning crucial games despite facing higher-ranked opponents. That's exactly what we're seeing in the PBA three-point race this year, where underdogs are stepping up and established stars are fighting to maintain their positions.

Right now, if you asked me to pick the frontrunner, I'd have to go with Robert Bolick from NorthPort. The man's shooting percentages are just ridiculous - he's currently hitting at 42.3% from beyond the arc while attempting nearly eight threes per game. What impresses me most isn't just the numbers though, it's his ability to knock down shots in clutch situations. I remember watching their game against San Miguel last week where he drained five triples in the fourth quarter alone. That kind of performance reminds me of how world No. 78 in that tennis match handily won crucial points when it mattered most. Both athletes share that mental toughness that separates good players from great ones.

What's fascinating about this season's three-point race is how it's become more competitive than ever. We're seeing players like CJ Perez from San Miguel making significant improvements to his outside shot. Last season he was shooting around 34% from three, but this year he's up to 38.7% - that's a massive jump in professional basketball terms. I've noticed he's changed his release point slightly, making it quicker and more consistent. These technical adjustments might seem small, but they make all the difference at this level. It's similar to how tennis players constantly tweak their serves or groundstrokes to gain even the slightest advantage.

The statistics this season tell an interesting story about how the game is evolving in the Philippines. Teams are attempting more threes than ever before - we're seeing an average of 28.3 attempts per team per game, up from 24.1 just two seasons ago. This shift towards perimeter shooting is changing defensive strategies and creating more space for drivers. Personally, I love this development because it makes the game more dynamic and unpredictable. Though I know some traditionalists who complain that it's moving away from "real Filipino basketball," I believe it's just the natural evolution of the sport globally.

Looking at the numbers more closely, there are some surprising names in the top ten that many didn't expect. Take Calvin Oftana from TNT, for instance - he's shooting 40.1% from deep while being primarily known as a defensive specialist earlier in his career. His improvement reminds me of how athletes in other sports, like that world No. 54 in tennis, sometimes face early exits but come back stronger. Oftana worked extensively on his shooting mechanics during the offseason, and the results are showing. I spoke with his shooting coach briefly last month, and he mentioned they focused on footwork and balance - fundamentals that often get overlooked.

What many fans might not realize is how much work goes into maintaining shooting consistency throughout a grueling season. These players aren't just naturally gifted - they spend hours before and after practice perfecting their form. I've had the privilege of watching some of these shooting sessions up close, and the level of dedication is incredible. They'll take hundreds of shots from the same spots repeatedly until the motion becomes automatic. This kind of repetitive training is what allows someone like Bolick to hit contested threes in high-pressure situations, similar to how elite tennis players practice their serves until they can execute perfectly even under stress.

The international influence on PBA shooting can't be ignored either. With more Filipino players gaining experience in international competitions and foreign coaches bringing new philosophies, the three-point shot has become more sophisticated. We're seeing more movement threes and shots coming off screens rather than just stationary catch-and-shoot opportunities. This evolution makes the game more exciting to watch, though I sometimes miss the simpler style of play from the early 2000s. Still, progress is inevitable, and the current three-point revolution is producing some spectacular basketball.

As we approach the midpoint of the season, I'm particularly curious to see if any dark horse candidates emerge in the three-point race. Players like Mikey Williams from TNT have the capability to go on hot streaks that could propel them up the rankings quickly. Williams is currently shooting 37.9% from three, but we've seen him hit stretches where he simply can't miss. That volatility makes the race more exciting - it's not just about consistent performance but also about who can get hot at the right time. It brings to mind how in that tennis match, the underdog won crucial games by elevating their performance when it mattered most.

The coaching strategies around three-point shooting have evolved dramatically too. Teams are now designing specific plays to generate open looks from beyond the arc rather than treating them as secondary options. I've noticed coaches like Tim Cone implementing more Spain pick-and-roll actions and elevator screens to free up shooters. These sophisticated sets create higher-quality looks that boost shooting percentages. From my perspective, this strategic evolution is just as important as individual player development in explaining why three-point shooting has improved across the league.

What really separates the elite shooters from the pack, in my view, is their ability to maintain form when fatigued. Late in games, when legs are tired, that's when you see who the truly great shooters are. Bolick seems to have mastered this - his fourth-quarter three-point percentage actually improves to 44.7%, which is almost unheard of. This reminds me of how world-class tennis players maintain their technique deep into the fifth set. Both require not just physical conditioning but mental fortitude to execute when exhausted.

As the season progresses, I'm keeping my eye on a few players who could potentially challenge the current leaders. Chris Newsome from Meralco has been gradually improving his three-point shot and currently sits at 39.2%. If he can increase his volume while maintaining that efficiency, he could easily jump into the top three. The beauty of the three-point race is that it's never over until the final game - much like in individual sports like tennis, where rankings can change dramatically based on a few key performances.

Ultimately, what makes the PBA three-point race so compelling this season is the combination of established stars maintaining their excellence and rising players making significant improvements. It reflects the overall health of Philippine basketball and suggests exciting developments for the national team program. While Robert Bolick currently leads the pack, the competition remains fierce, and I wouldn't be surprised to see several changes in the rankings before the season concludes. The dedication these players show in refining their craft, much like athletes in other sports working to avoid early exits from tournaments, demonstrates the professional commitment that continues to elevate Philippine basketball on the global stage.