TNT saved its Grand Slam bid alive because it took down San Miguel, 86-78, in Recreation 5 of the PBA Philippine Cup finals on Wednesday on the Good Araneta Coliseum.
With the victory, the Tropang 5G prolonged the best-of-seven collection to its sixth recreation.
TNT held a 41-31 lead by the top of the primary half earlier than the Beermen caught up and inched nearer, 59-53, as Jericho Cruz closed the third interval with a 4-pointer.
The Tropang 5G’s lead additional ballooned to 18 factors, 77-59, on the 6:57 mark of the fourth interval earlier than the Beermen trimmed the result in a single digit, 84-76, with 1:24 remaining as Cruz’ triple gave a glimmer of hope for San Miguel.
Cruz tried to drill one anew from the three-point arc however fell brief, as his foul on Kelly Williams introduced the latter to the road the place he sank two freebies and nearly sealed the win as Cruz’ subsequent three-point try failed anew. Nonetheless, his free throws off a Calvin Oftana foul finally ended the match.
“I noticed quite a lot of struggle and simply unwillingness to surrender,” TNT head coach Chot Reyes stated.
“Our pregame discuss was all about… this has been a really lengthy season and we’re all the way down to our closing week. I stated let’s make this the very best week. Simply struggle as laborious as we will and let’s examine what occurs. Fortunately, I may see in yesterday’s follow and right this moment within the physique language and eyes of our gamers that they have been simply not prepared to surrender.”
Brandon Ganuelas-Rosser’s scorching begin proved to be essential as he made 14 of his 18 factors within the opening interval alone. Williams had 14 factors, whereas Oftana and Jordan Heading had 13 factors apiece. Vosotros, in the meantime, continued to be the activate the bench for TNT as he made 11 factors.
Cruz led San Miguel with 20 factors, whereas Marcio Lassiter added 15 factors. June Mar Fajardo had 13 factors and 13 rebounds.
Recreation 6 of the finals might be performed on Friday on the Philsports Area.
Scores:
TNT 86 – Ganuelas-Rosser 18, Williams 14, Oftana 13, Heading 13, Pogoy 11, Vosotros 11, Aurin 4, Khobuntin 2, Heruela 0.
San Miguel 78 – Cruz 20, Lassiter 15, Fajardo 13, Tautuaa 9, Trollano 8, Ross 6, Perez 5, Rosales 2, Brondial 0, Teng 0, Tiongson 0.
Quarters: 27-20, 41-31, 59-53, 86-78.
—JKC, GMA Built-in Information