With a championship within reach, the San Miguel Beermen failed to play with urgency. The TNT Tropang 5G consequently extended the PBA Season 49 Philippine Cup Finals.
Don Trollano admitted San Miguel was a little too complacent in the 78-86 loss in Game 5 of the PBA Season 49 Philippine Cup Finals on Wednesday, July 23.
“Siguro nag-[kampante] kami. Nag-relax. They capitalized on that,” said Trollano.
[RELATED STORY: Jericho Cruz rues San Miguel’s lack of effort in Game 5 loss to TNT in PBA PH Cup Finals]
It’s hard not to be when the Beermen scored three straight victories after a controversial loss that potentially could have been theirs to win.
After a string of confidence-boosting wins, it appeared a championship was within reach in Game 5 for San Miguel.
But what was expected to be a coronation turned into an extension after the Beermen started out flat.
Down by as high as 18 points, San Miguel tried to get back into the game and got to within eight but just couldn’t follow through this time.
San Miguel still leads the series, 3-2.
“Nakuha na nila 'yung momentum eh. Pangit talaga start namin. Dun sila nakakuha ng momentum. Nakahabol kami and then we turned the ball over. And nakabangon uli sila. Pinaghandaan na siguro nila,” he said.
The Beermen remain in a favorable position to win it all in Game 6 with Poy Erram also sitting out because of a meniscal tear in his right leg.
[ALSO READ: Poy Erram out for rest of PBA Finals for TNT due to meniscal tear: 'Hindi talaga kakayanin’]
“We still have a game. Tapos na yun nangyari na. Bukas nood kami ng film, (make some) adjustments, (and get) ready uli sa Friday,” he said.
Game 6 will be this Friday, 7:30 p.m. at the PhilSports Arena. It will be aired live on PBA Rush, RPTV, and the Pilipinas Live app.