TNT fends off San Miguel in Game 5, moves a win from Philippine Cup crown

TNT moved on the cusp of the 2022 PBA Philippine Cup crown after outlasting San Miguel in Game 5 of their best-of-seven finals affair, 102-93, on Wednesday at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.

Now holding a 3-2 series lead, TNT has a chance to cop back-to-back All-Filipino titles while also now a win away from spoiling San Miguel's drive to find lost Philippine Cup glory.

Neither team allowed the other side to build a huge lead in the first half with TNT only managing to erect a nine-point cushion, 46-37, after a Kelly Williams lay-up midway through the second period.

SMB, on the other hand, led by as much as six early in the first half, 10-4, with Rodney Brondial going for a basket. The Tropang Giga, though, held a slim 53-50 advantage heading to the second half of action as TNT's Poy Erram already had 13 of his overall output.

It was pretty much the same early in the third period where the Beermen kept TNT at bay with a 67-66 lead. But the reigning champions unleashed an 18-8 closing run to wrap up the frame leading again by nine, 84-75.

Mikey Williams played a huge role in that third quarter rampage as he drained four triples to give TNT a comfortable lead. Mo Tautuaa pumped life into SMB's campaign as he got them back to within four, 91-95, with three minutes left to play in the fourth.

But TNT held on as Erram closed out the game with two free throws.

The Williams duo led TNT with Mikey finishing with 23 points, five assists, and four rebounds while veteran Kelly Williams flirted with a double-double of 21 markers and nine boards.

Erram completed his stellar outing with 17 points and seven rebounds as RR Pogoy chipped in 14.

TNT will look to wrap things up on Friday, September 2, in Game 6 of the series.

—JMB, GMA News