TNT blew a 19-point lead but hung tough to notch the Game 1 win over San Miguel in the PBA Season 50 Philippine Cup Finals.
There was no reason for TNT coach Chot Reyes to celebrate even in the aftermath of his squad's 96-91 win over San Miguel in Game 1 of the PBA Season 50 Philippine Cup Finals Wednesday, Jan. 21.
The Tropang 5G nearly blew a 19-point lead and barely escaped the defending champion at the Ynares Center in Antipolo.
Reyes made special mention of TNT's 19 turnovers, which the Beermen converted to 25 points to turn the catch-up game into a seesaw battle in the endgame.
“In the huddle, I said, ‘You know, we defend well, (but) they’re not scoring on the halfcourt set. They're scoring off our turnovers. We keep giving the ball to the other team,'” said Reyes at the end of the match.
[RELATED STORY: LIST: San Miguel-TNT PBA Finals encounters since 2016]
After a masterful first 24 minutes of action where the Tropang 5G led by as many as 19 points, they slowly squandered that comfortable margin.
Jericho Cruz registered back-to-back field goals as the Beermen moved to within a whisker, 91-92, with only 21.4 ticks left to play.
But TNT hung tough, with Jordan Heading making four pressure-packed straight free throws to seal the win.
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It was Kelly Williams who led the Tropang 5G's balanced effort with 15 points, nine rebounds, three assists and one block.
Calvin Oftana submitted 13 points and 10 rebounds he spiked with a steal and a block, while Heading had the same number of points with eight rebounds.
“That’s something we definitely need to address. We had 19 turnovers, that’s why we gave them 25 turnover points,” said Reyes.
“Obviously, we’re happy with the win, but there’s so much more for us to improve on and we have one day to correct our mistakes.”
San Miguel's Don Trollano hunts down Calvin Oftana of TNT during Game 1 of the PBA Finals. | Photo: RM Chua/One Sports
Even after a strong first half, TNT knew it needed to survive an SMB retaliation in the final two quarters, and it did.
Mo Tautuaa spearheaded a 28-17 third-quarter assault for the Beermen, dropping 13 of his 22 points there to fuel his squad's fightback.
Don Trollano could have altered the outcome of the match, but his wide-open three in the dying seconds went short.
June Mar Fajardo paced San Miguel with 24 points and 17 rebounds.
Cjay Perez added 16 points, seven rebounds, six assists and two steals, while Rodney Brondial scored 10.
Game 2 is set Friday, Jan. 23, at the same venue.
TNT vs. San Miguel Scores:
TNT 96 – Williams 15, Heading 13, Oftana 13, Galinato 12, Nambatac 11, Enciso 10, Ganuelas-Rosser 8, Erram 6, Khobuntin 4, Ferrer 2, Aurin 2
San Miguel 91 – Fajardo 24, Tautuaa 22, Perez 16, Brondial 10, Cruz 8, Tiongson 5, Trollano 4, Ross 2, Lassiter 0, Cahilig 0, Rosales 0, Teng 0
Quarterscores: 29-20, 53-36, 70-64, 96-91
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Like most sportswriters, Jan Ballesteros once dreamed of becoming a professional hooper. But he learned the hard way that it’s not for everyone.
He continues to be involved in the sport he loves, but this time as a member of the PBA Press Corps. Aside from primarily covering the PBA, he is also assigned to cover Gilas Pilipinas.