A LOT has been said about the controversial finish that clouded TNT’s 99-96 win over San Miguel in Game 1 of the PBA Philippine Cup Finals, taking away the spotlight from one of the most exciting matches to play out this season.
The divisive topic has been the talk of the town over the past two days, with some feeling that the PBA may have been too rigid in its interpretation of the rule, while some siding with the league’s controversial call which made the difference.
READ: TNT escapes in Game One as controversial call dampens SMB rally
So in this part, we’ll talk about the game itself before that controversial decision wrapped up the match in the most anticlimactic fashion, looking at some of the biggest takeaways of the first game between TNT and San Miguel.
Jordan Heading the last piece to TNT’s grand slam puzzle
Jordan Heading had a slow start with TNT, totally understandable considering the new system that he’s had to fit into after being traded mid-conference, and the continuous recovery of his back.
Now fully integrated into Chot Reyes’ system, and with his back continuing to heal, Heading has looked like TNT’s best player over the past couple of games.
After firing 29 to finish off Rain or Shine in Game 6 of the semifinals, Heading was in total control of TNT’s offense once more as he finished with 19 points, on 6-11 shooting, and six assists in his PBA championship debut which resulted in a Tropang 5G win.
It was Heading who orchestrated TNT’s hot start in the first half and if the Tropang 5G were to complete this season by winning three more games, then a significant part of it will be because of this Fil-Australian guard’s play.
San Miguel’s shooters need to hit now
June Mar Fajardo might have finished with 26 points and 15 rebounds, but it was probably one of the toughest set of points he’s had to get as TNT certainly made him work with doubles, and even triple teams each time he touches the ball on the post.
TNT’s defense can zone in on him without much repercussions as the Beermen’s outside shooting have deserted them once more, with two of the best shooters in the league in Marcio Lassiter and Juami Tiongson struggling to find their mark.
Collectively, the Beermen just shot 5-18 from downtown 5-of-21 from threes.
There’s no denying that Lassiter and Tiongson can heat up at any time, but since combining to shoot six-for-11 in the Beermen’s fiery Game 4 win vs. Ginebra in the semis, the two have cooled off significantly.
Lassiter, the best shooter in PBA history, has only shot 28 percent from that point, making four-of-14 in the last four games. Tiongson has cooled off worse, hitting just 18 percent of his threes in that stretch, going three-of-16.
The good news for the Beermen is that when it comes to these two players, bouncing back is not a matter of if, but when. And when they rediscover their touch, expect the game to change exponentially.
Chris Ross remains San Miguel’s rock
Chris Ross came in the 4:33 mark of the third quarter, with the Beermen down 74-51.
You all know what happened next.
If the Beermen completed the comeback, a huge part of it was because of Ross who once again disrupted the opposing team’s offense with his pesky play on d, while being the steady hand that orchestrated San Miguel’s fight back in the final 12 minutes or so.
Ross finished with seven points, five rebounds and four assists, a bit far off from his numbers in the Game 7 win over Ginebra – but his impact remains the same as it was his defense and playmaking which fueled San Miguel’s foiled comeback.
TNT’s depth no joke
San Miguel has often been known as a ‘deep team,’ with their line-up oozing with talent from top to bottom.
But looking at TNT’s bench? That’s a pretty solid team in itself.
Imagine having the luxury of pulling RR Pogoy and Poy Erram off the bench, two players who would easily start in most teams in the league. Then you have guys like Glenn Khobuntin, Kim Aurin and Simon Enciso who can come in and be game changers then that's a formidable second-unit.
In Game 1, TNT’s bench outscored San Miguel’s, 43-38 and if the Tropang 5G wants to keep its stronghold of this series, then their bench must continue to play this way.
Now imagine if Rey Nambatac and Jayson Castro returns to this line up next season.
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