The TNT Tropang 5G stepped up on defense and held off a late charge from the San Miguel Beermen to clinch an 86-78 win and trim the series deficit to 2-3 in Game 5 of the PBA Philippine Cup Finals on July 23.
Top Performers of the Game:
Brandon Arnell Ganuelas-Rosser (TNT PF) 18 PTS | 3 STL | 5 BLK | 47.5 FPS
BGR took over early, scoring 14 points in the first quarter and finishing 9-of-13 from two to record his best scoring game of the finals. He also avoided foul trouble despite being called for a flagrant foul early in the game. Defensively, he remains a force, averaging 3.6 blocks in the series.
June Mar Fajardo (SMB C) 13 PTS | 13 REB | 2 BLK | 45.1 FPS
JMF was limited to his lowest scoring output in the finals after getting into foul trouble early and a quiet night at the line, going just 1-of-2 after shooting 23-of-34 in the first four games of the series. Despite that, he remained highly productive, posting his tenth double-double in the playoffs. Defensively, he’s been more impactful, totaling nine stocks over his last two games.
Calvin John Oftana (TNT PF) 13 PTS | 7 REB | 5 AST | 34.9 FPS
Oftana didn’t shoot well in Game 5 but made his presence felt in many areas, particularly in defense. He also continues to lead the team in rebounding.
Jordan Timothy Heading (TNT PG) 13 PTS | 6 REB | 5 AST | 28.7 FPS
Heading had a slow start, going scoreless in the first half, but came up big in the final period with 7 points to help push the lead to as much as 18. He’s been their best scoring option in the finals, averaging a team-high 16 points while hitting two three-pointers per game.
Jaymar Perez (SMB SF) 5 PTS | 5 AST | 5 STL | 28.1 FPS
Perez continues to struggle on offense, shooting just 1-of-9 from the field in Game 5 and committing seven turnovers over his last two games. However, he made up for it with his second straight game of five assists and a conference-high in steals.
Kelly Williams (TNT C) 14 PTS | 7 REB | 2 AST | 25.4 FPS
Williams is averaging 12.6 points in the first half over the last three games, but tends to slow down after halftime. He’s also struggled with his inside scoring, shooting just 2-of-21 in the series, but has compensated with his three-point shooting and all-around contributions.
Jericho Xavier Cruz (SMB SF) 20 PTS | 4 REB | 1 TO | 23.8 FPS
Cruz struggled with his outside shooting in Game 5 after going 5-of-7 from three in Game 4, but he remained productive at the free-throw line, where he’s gone 23-of-29 in the series. He also recorded his third 20-point game of the conference.
Christopher Ross (SMB PG) 6 PTS | 6 REB | 2 STL | 20.2 FPS
Ross has been highly productive in the finals, making a consistent impact on both ends of the floor. Offensively, he’s been a solid threat from three, shooting 8-of-15 in the series. Defensively, he’s averaging 5.2 rebounds and 1.8 steals per game.
Marcio Lassiter (SMB SF) 15 PTS | 3 3PM | 5 REB | 20.0 FPS
Lassiter didn’t have much of an impact in ten of his first eleven games of the playoffs, but he picked it up in the last two, scoring in double-digits and going 5-for-11 from the three-point area.
Biggest Disappointment of the Game:
Celedonio Trollano (SMB SF) 8 PTS | 1 REB | 1 TO
Trollano struggled for most of the game but found some rhythm in the fourth. However, he still finished with his second playoff game and fifth in the conference scoring in single digits.
