TNT's grand slam bid is alive, at least for the moment.
The Tropang 5G extended their season through fiery shooting and a defensive masterclass, overcoming San Miguel, 86-78, on Wednesday night in Game 5 of the PBA 49th Season Philippine Cup Finals at the Smart-Araneta Coliseum.
TNT drew big games from Brandon Ganuelas-Rosser, Kelly Williams, and Almond Vosotros to slice San Miguel's lead in the best-of-seven championship series to 3-2 after the lowest scoring game of the finals by far.
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The Tropang 5G will look to sustain their resurgence on Friday night as the scene shifts to the Philsports Arena for Game 6 and, if necessary, a deciding Game 7.
“I saw a lot of fight,” said TNT coach Chot Reyes of his team after Game 5.
Ganuelas-Rosser scored 18 points and grabbed five rebounds, but it was his defense that boosted the team as he had three steals and five blocks while defending June Mar Fajardo down low.
With BGR anchoring TNT’s defense, San Miguel was limited to only 31 points in the first half, the lowest output by any team since Barangay Ginebra scored only 19 in Game 2 of the Commissioner’s Cup last conference, according to PBA statistics chief Fidel Mangonon.
Williams had 14 points and shot 4 of 10 from three-point range while also collecting seven rebounds for TNT.
Vosotros was the best player off the TNT bench by scoring 11 points. His only three of the game from the corner and a lay-up closed a 13-0 blast in the fourth quarter for a 72-55 lead.
Jordan Heading added 13 points including a three that gave TNT its largest lead, 77-59.
Jericho Cruz had 20 points, while Marcio Lassiter added 15 points and five rebounds. Fajardo had 13 points and 13 rebounds but played with four fouls in the second half along with fellow big man Mo Tautuaa.
San Miguel appeared to be headed for a mighty comeback when Cruz was able to slice the gap to nine, 80-71, with 3:12 remaining, but TNT weathered the storm as Pogoy and Oftana knocked down baskets to restore the lead back to 13 points.
The scores:
TNT 86 – Ganuelas-Rosser 18, Williams 14, Oftana 13, Heading 13, Vosotros 11, Pogoy 11, Aurin 4, Khobuntin 2, Heruela 0.
San Miguel 78 – Cruz 20, Lassiter 15, Fajardo 13, Tautuaa 9, Trollano 8, Ross 6, Perez 5, Rosales 2, Brondial 0, Teng 0, Tiongson 0.
Quarters: 27-20; 41-31; 59-53; 86-78.
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