CHICAGO - It could have been the emotional hangover from a tight 99-96 Game One victory last Sunday.
It could have also been the intense pressure of going up 2-0 in the best-of-seven PBA Philippine Cup Finals, a spot that would have moved TNT to within two victories from a historic grand slam feat.
READ Erram doubtful for TNT in Game 3 due to sprained ankle
But for whatever reason, the Tropang 5G didn't come out of last night's Game Two with the same desperation and defiance that has defined their pursuit of the triple crown.
They were listless, lethargic.
After a slow first quarter where they trailed 23-19, TNT stared at a 51-39 deficit by halftime. It was the exact opposite of the fiery Game One start which enabled them to build a 24-point lead.
CJ COULDN'T SAVE THE DAY.
A 35-point third-quarter burst instigated by Calvin Oftana reeled TNT back in the contest. But San Miguel, with Don Trollano taking over in the fourth quarter with timely buckets, eventually darted across the finish line, 98-92.
"Turnovers," Jordan Heading replied when I asked him what happened on Wednesday night.
Yup, miscues, many of which were unforced, disconnected TNT, committing 17 that turned into 24 points for San Miguel.
But there were other factors, too.
After a 23-point effort in Game One, Roger Pogoy finished with just six in Game Two, hitting a mere 1-of-9 from the field.
Still dealing with a hamstring injury that has restricted his minutes, Pogoy's production degradation was expected. What wasn't expected was that no one filled in the void.
ONE-TWO PUNCH.
Heading did alright with 15 points and two made 3s. So did Oftana, who led the team with 23. But the usually prolific bench army of Glen Khobuntin, Kim Aurin, Brian Heruela and Simon Enciso only had a combined 21 points.
Besides Trollano's 22 points, the two-big combo of June Mar Fajardo and Mo Tautuaa proved to be a problem for the Tropang 5G as the pair of giants pooled together 33 points and 13 rebounds.
While most of the wounds TNT sustained in Game Two can be cured with more effort and ball protection in Game Three, there's one issue that will deprive coach Chot Reyes of sleep.
The potential absence of Poy Erram, who badly sprained his ankle.
Without Poy, the magnificent but inexplicably foul-prone Brandon Ganuelas-Rosser is left with Kelly Williams to contend with Fajardo and Tautuaa, who has amazingly transformed his physique from kind of chubby to incredible bulk
Through two games in these finals, San Miguel has dominated the boards, 105-93. It potentially could be murder out there on the boards without the 6-foot-8, 237-lb Erram.
After that Game One fiasco, no thanks to a grandstanding technical committee, San Miguel had threatened to no-show last Wednesday.
But after what has transpired since, it would be hard for the Beermen to now walk away from a series in which they clearly have the advantage of health and manpower.
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