The TNT Tropang 5G squandered a 24-point lead but hung on and escaped with a thrilling 99-96 victory against San Miguel Beermen in Game 1 of the PBA Philippine Cup Finals on July 13.
Top Performers of the Game:
June Mar Fajardo (SMB C) 26 PTS | 15 REB | 2 BLK | 54.0 FPS
JMF took over in the second half, scoring 16 points. He has now posted 20-plus points in three straight games, averaging 57% shooting from two during that span. His rebounding and defense has been just as impressive, averaging nearly 16 boards over his last six games and averaging 3 stocks in his last five games.
Jaymar Perez (SMB PG) 19 PTS | 11 REB | 2 STL | 43.2 FPS
Perez had a difficult time on offense but provided a much-needed spark late in the third quarter, scoring 9 points to help cut into the lead. On the defensive end, he continued to make an impact, recording a conference-high in rebounds. However, his three-point shooting remains a concern, going just 2-for-13 over his last three games.
Jordan Timothy Heading (TNT PG) 19 PTS | 3 REB | 6 AST | 28.6 FPS
Heading got off to a hot start, scoring 17 points in the first half. However, he struggled to maintain that momentum after the break. Still, he has scored at least 19 points in three of his last four games.
Roger Ray Pogoy (TNT SG) 23 PTS | 2 REB | 2 AST | 27.4 FPS
Pogoy missed the last four games with a hamstring injury but remained a reliable offensive asset, erupting for 15 points in the first half, including hitting two four-pointers, to help put his team in control. He’s now averaging 22 points over his last five playoff games.
Brandon Arnell Ganuelas-Rosser (TNT PF) 13 PTS | 3 REB | 4 BLK | 27.1 FPS
BGR came out strong and tallied 9 points and 3 blocks early in the second quarter. However, he slowed down for the rest of the game with fouls. He’s been in foul troubles in 11 of his 12 games this conference.
John Paul Erram (TNT C) 9 PTS | 8 REB | 2 BLK | 26.6 FPS
Erram opened the series against Rain or Shine with a strong double-double performance but he wasn’t as impactful since. However, he stepped up in Game 1 of the finals, coming close to his third double-double of the conference.
Celedonio Trollano (SMB SF) 13 PTS | 5 REB | 1 BLK | 26.5 FPS
Trollano came up big in the fourth, scoring 7 points to fuel the team’s comeback. He’s now posted double-digit scoring performance in seven straight playoff games.
Kelly Williams (TNT PF) 9 PTS | 7 REB | 4 AST | 25.4 FPS
Williams missed their last two games with an ankle sprain but made a strong impact in his return, shooting 3-for-6 from three-point range while also playing solid defense against Fajardo. He should continue to be a major factor in this matchup.
Calvin John Oftana (TNT SF) 13 PTS | 9 REB | 3 AST | 25.3 FPS
Oftana is still not at his best as he continues to deal with a double ankle sprain. He struggled on offense, shooting just 4-for-15, but still managed another double-digit scoring performance. He’s been a reliable offensive option throughout the conference, scoring in single digits only once.
Biggest Disappointment of the Game:
Jericho Xavier Cruz (SMB SG) 8 PTS | 4 REB | 3 AST
Cruz struggled again on offense, shooting just 2-for-7 from the field. He has now scored under 10 points in each of his last three outings, after averaging nearly 15 points in his first five games in the Semifinals.
