(PBA images)
TNT Tropang Giga leaned on a blistering first-half performance and a controversial endgame video review to survive a dramatic comeback by San Miguel, carving out a thrilling 99-96 win in Game 1 of the PBA Season 49 Philippine Cup Finals on Sunday at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
The Tropang Giga built a commanding 24-point lead and appeared to be cruising, only to see the Beermen storm back in the fourth quarter. But just when it looked like San Miguel might complete the comeback, TNT caught a lucky break with 6.4 seconds left.
With San Miguel trailing by just one, Moala Tautuaa tipped in a potential go-ahead bucket, but the referees reviewed the play and ruled it an offensive interference. The basket was waved off, restoring TNT’s slim 97-96 lead.
In the ensuing jump ball between Jordan Heading and Chris Ross, the Beermen’s veteran guard mistimed his leap, giving TNT possession. Calvin Oftana then calmly sank two free throws with 3.6 seconds left, and CJ Perez missed a desperation three-pointer at the buzzer, sealing TNT’s narrow win.
It was a wild finish to a game that had looked like a TNT blowout early on.
RR Pogoy, making his return after missing four games, erupted for 23 points in just 18 minutes, knocking down three triples and a pair of rare four-point shots. His buzzer-beating four-pointer to end the first half gave TNT a 61-41 cushion.
Heading backed him up with 19 points, 17 of which came in the first half as TNT rode a red-hot shooting spree, converting 51.2 percent from the field in the first two quarters including 9-of-17 from deep and 3-of-4 from four-point territory.
Calvin Oftana and Brandon Ganuelas-Rosser chipped in 13 points apiece, with Ganuelas-Rosser delivering a thunderous two-handed slam that ended a seven-minute scoring drought late in the fourth.
Despite TNT’s collapse in the final frame, their early perimeter dominance proved just enough. The Tropang Giga held a stunning 45-5 edge in perimeter points at one point, built on a relentless pace and long-range firepower.
San Miguel’s fightback was led by June Mar Fajardo and CJ Perez. Fajardo tallied 26 points and 15 rebounds, while Perez delivered 19 points and 11 boards. The Beermen cut the 24-point deficit down to just one in the closing seconds before falling short.
The series resumes on Wednesday with Game 2, and San Miguel will surely look to bounce back after nearly stealing the opener.
The scores:
TNT 99 – Pogoy 23, Heading 19, Oftana 13, Ganuelas-Rosser 13, Williams 9, Erram 9, Enciso 6, Khobuntin 5, Heruela 2, Aurin 0
San Miguel 96 – Fajardo 26, Perez 19, Trollano 13, Tautuaa 10, Cruz 8, Ross 7, Lassiter 7, Tiongson 4, Brondial 2, Teng 0, Rosales 0
Quarters: 28-22, 61-41, 85-66, 99-96