TNT cruises past SMB to take 2-1 series lead in PBA semis

The TNT Tropang Giga sprinted their way to a 2-1 series lead over San Miguel after a 115-98 win in Game 3 of their best-of-seven semifinal clash Friday in the 2021 PBA Philippine Cup in Pampanga.

RR Pogoy starred for TNT with 26 points, three assists, and four steals as they moved within two wins of a return trip to the championship round after a bridesmaid finish last year.

Rookie Mikey Williams also provided a spark with 20 markers and five dimes while Poy Erram posted a double-double output of 21 points and 13 rebounds to go with three steals.

Pogoy waxed hot early for TNT, shooting a blistering 50 percent from the field in the first half to collect 13 points and lead his team to a 54-42 lead at the break.

TNT, though, was outrebounded during the first two frames, 28-20, largely because of the absence of big man Kelly Williams, who’s been placed under the league’s health and safety protocols.

The Tropang Giga’s lead swelled to as big as 22 after they opened the third period with a 10-0 rampage, 64-42.

SMB's backcourt duo of Terrence Romeo and CJ Perez then connected to trim the Beermen’s deficit to 15, 83-68, but TNT held them off and closed out the frame still ahead, 85-68.

TNT never looked back in the payoff period and avoided another late-game collapse similar to what they encountered in Game 2, where they lost after wasting a 19-point lead.

Romeo led the way for SMB after carving out 22 points, seven rebounds, and two assists in 30 minutes of action while Perez and June Mar Fajardo each finished with 14 markers.

This is the first time in this series that a game was decided by a wide margin as the past two games saw both teams separated by a point in Game 1 and two markers in Game 2.

The scores:
TNT 115 - Pogoy 26, Erram 21, M. Williams 20, Rosario 14, Montalbo 11, Castro 9, Khobuntin 4, Heruela 4, Reyes 2, Marcelo 2, Mendoza 2, Exciminano 0, Alejandro 0, Javier 0.

San Miguel 98 - Romeo 22, Fajardo 14, Perez 14, Cabagnot 12, Tautuaa 11, Santos 9, Pessumal 5, Lassiter 3, Ross 3, Gamalinda 3, Zamar 2, Comboy 0, Gotladera 0.

Quarterscores: 29-20, 54-42, 85-68, 115-98

—JMB, GMA News