It’s an uphill climb for TNT in the ongoing PBA Season 49 Philippine Cup Finals. But the Tropang 5G have proven time and again that they are a team that thrives in adversity.
TNT has a lot of fight left in it.
Wounded and all, the injury-riddled Tropang 5G managed to extend the PBA Season 49 Philippine Cup Finals via an 86-78 win over San Miguel in Game 5 Wednesday, July 23.
But they need to win two more games against a powerhouse — and healthy — Beermen to add two historic conquests to their resume: win a Grand Slam and become the third team to overcome a 1-3 deficit.
One Sports looks into the ways that could help TNT to do just that.
[ALSO READ: PBA Finals Game 6 Analysis: How San Miguel can finally close out TNT]
Limit turnovers
So far, TNT has normed 16.6 turnovers in five games in the Finals.
That’s five more than San Miguel’s, and the Tropang 5G need to take care of the ball better if they want the series to go the distance.
[ALSO READ: Our Snaps: TNT's PBA Grand Slam dream stays alive]
Turnovers have hurt them a great deal in the fourth period, where they averaged five turnovers. They had six in their opening game win that saw the Beermen climb back from a 24-point deficit and almost snatch the victory.
TNT has little room to make mistakes now, with the Beermen expected to retaliate following their Game 5 loss.
RR Pogoy joins six TNT players in double figures to help seize Game 5 of the PBA Finals. | Photo (c) RM Chua/One Sports
TNT needs closers
While they get by even without injured Jayson Castro and Rey Nambatac, the Tropang 5G certainly need players of their caliber in the ongoing Finals.
TNT has struggled so far in the fourth quarter, where the Beermen normally thrive. This was none more evident in the Tropang 5G’s Game 4 loss, where San Miguel scored 41 points in the frame behind Jericho Cruz.
Whether it’s RR Pogoy, Calvin Oftana or Jordan Heading, at least one of Chot Reyes' wards should rise to the occasion when San Miguel pushes them to the brink.
[ALSO READ: Calvin Oftana praises Almond Vosotros, TNT bench in Game 5 win: 'Malaking bagay sila']
Show 'puso’
Brandon Ganuelas-Rosser said TNT had to play 48 minutes all heart to claim the Game 5 win and extend the series.
“We just want to leave it out there. We’re down to the last week, the last couple of games. He (Reyes) just asked for 48 hard minutes of all heart, and that’s what we did tonight,” said Ganuelas-Rosser.
With Poy Erram ruled out for the rest of the series with a meniscal tear in his left leg, BGR — as well as Kelly Williams and Henry Galinato — should brace for a furious SMB rally, especially from eight-time Most Valuable Player June Mar Fajardo.