PBA: TNT survives San Miguel scare to win Philippine Cup Finals Opener

TNT escaped San Miguel, 96-91, to take the first win in the PBA Philippine Cup best-of-seven finals on Wednesday at the Ynares Center in Antipolo City.

The Tropang 5G led by as much as 19 points, 48-29, in the second quarter before closing the first half at 53-36 in their favor.

San Miguel fought back, outscoring TNT 28-17 in the third quarter to trim the deficit to 70-64.

The Beermen continued to close in, narrowing the gap to a single point, 78-77, with seven minutes remaining in the fourth quarter.

TNT then pulled away, 88-79, with less than five minutes left.

CJ Perez and Mo Tautuaa, however, responded with back-to-back baskets for San Miguel, but Brandon Ganuelas-Rosser slammed one home to push TNT ahead, 90-83.

Don Trollano then hit a four-pointer to bring San Miguel closer, 90-87, with 1:44 remaining.

Ganuelas-Rosser’s basket at the 49-second mark, however, gave TNT some breathing room, but a turnover by Calvin Oftana allowed Jericho Cruz to score on a jumper even after CJ Perez’s missed attempt.

TNT suffered another turnover when a bad pass from Rey Nambatac ended up in Cruz’s hands for an easy basket. However, a late foul by Cruz on Jordan Heading sent the latter to the line, giving TNT a 94-91 lead.

Trollano’s late three-point attempt failed, and another foul by Cruz on Heading allowed the Tropang 5G star to sink two free throws, sealing TNT’s hard-fought victory in Game 1.

“Obviously, I’m happy with the win, but there’s so much more for us to improve on and we have one day to correct our mistakes,” TNT head coach Chot Reyes said. He pointed to turnovers as a major concern, with the team committing 19 and giving up 25 points off them.

Kelly Williams led TNT with 15 points, nine rebounds, three assists, and one block, while Oftana recorded a double-double of 13 points and 10 rebounds, adding five assists, one steal, and one block. Heading contributed 13 points, eight rebounds, and an assist.

For San Miguel, June Mar Fajardo posted 24 points and 17 rebounds, while Mo Tautuaa had 22 points.

Scores:

TNT 96 – Williams 15, Heading 13, Oftana 13, Galinato 12, Nambatac 11, Enciso 10, Ganuelas-Rosser 8, Erram 6, Khobuntin 4, Ferrer 2, Aurin 2.

San Miguel 91 – Fajardo 24, Tautuaa 22, Perez 16, Brondial 10, Cruz 8, Tiongson 5, Trollano 4, Ross 2, Lassiter 0, Cahilig 0, Rosales 0, Teng 0.

Quarters: 29-20, 53-36, 70-64, 96-91.

—JKC, GMA Integrated News