TNT is leaving no stones unturned in trying to find way to remain alive in the PBA Season 49 Philippine Cup Finals against the San Miguel Beermen.
Battered but unbowed, the TNT Tropang 5G are refusing to fold.
Facing a 1-3 series deficit against the streaking San Miguel Beermen, the injury-riddled Tropang 5G hope to keep their Grand Slam dream alive when they return to the floor for Game 5 of the PBA Season 49 Philippine Cup Finals on Wednesday, July 23.
Gametime is set at 7:30 p.m. at the Smart Araneta Coliseum in Cubao.
After a gutsy Game 1 win, TNT has dropped three straight, the latest a 105-91 loss in Game 4.
Still, the team is not ready to wave the white flag, knowing full well what’s at stake: their shot at becoming just the fifth team in PBA history to complete a Grand Slam.
“Hindi pa naman tapos,” said Glen Khobuntin, summing up the team’s defiant mindset. “Syempre laban pa rin Wednesday. Hindi pa tapos yung buhay.”
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But the challenges keep piling up.
Big man Poy Erram, already playing through a sprained ankle, appeared to hurt his left hamstring in the third quarter of Game 4. Though he returned to finish the game, his mobility was clearly compromised — another blow to a squad already decimated by injuries.
In the absence of consistent production from Calvin Oftana, who managed just 11 points after averaging 17 in the series, Jordan Heading shouldered the bulk of the offensive load with 23 points and five assists. Kelly Williams contributed an all-around effort with 14 points, seven boards, five assists, and three steals, while Brandon Ganuelas-Rosser added 14 points and seven rebounds.
Still, it wasn’t enough.
[ALSO READ: Austria says Game 1 loss ‘biggest impact’ in SMB's Philippine Cup title drive: 'It fuels our grit’]
Oftana, known for his calm demeanor, was visibly frustrated after the loss and politely declined a postgame interview, a rare sight from the usually upbeat forward.
Now, with their backs against the wall, TNT will need a collective surge from RR Pogoy, Rosser, Erram, Heading, and Oftana to extend the series and keep their historic aspirations alive.
Only two teams in league history have ever come back from a 1-3 Finals deficit. TNT wants to become the third — and preserve their hopes for a Grand Slam that, just a week ago, still seemed within reach.
[ALSO READ: PBA: Juami Tiongson plays down spat with Almond Vosotros in San Miguel’s Game 4 win]
(With reports from Jan Ballesteros)
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[Editor's note: This article was written by a member of the One Sports Digital with the help of AI, and then checked by the staff to ensure accuracy.]