THE PBA 49th Season Philippine Cup Finals moves to the Philsports Arena where San Miguel will look to finally bag the title. But TNT has other ideas as it wants to send the championship affair to a deciding Game 7 that will also be played in Pasig.
Here is a preview to get you ready for Game 6.
SAN MIGUEL VS. TNT
When: Friday, July 25. 7:30 p.m.
Where: Philsports Arena
End or extend
TNT looks to force a Game 7 on Friday night and stay on course for a grand slam. The Tropang 5G avoided elimination last Wednesday when they defeated the Beermen, 86-78, to cut the deficit to 3-2. Another win by TNT will definitely change the complexion of this series.
Last finals duel reached Game 7
Prior to this conference, San Miguel and TNT last battled for the championship during the 2022-23 Philippine Cup with the series reaching Game 7. The Beermen won that final game with a 119-97 decision. San Miguel definitely does not want this series to go into Game 7 again.
BGR and Kelly avoid foul woes in Game 5 win
Brandon Ganuelas-Rosser and Kelly Williams set the tone for TNT in Game 5. BGR scored 14 of his 18 points in the first quarter, while Williams had 12 of his 14 points in the first half. What made them effective in Game 5 was because they were able to stay on the court for a lengthy period, with both getting only two fouls each. If the two bigs continue to stay in the Game 6, TNT has a good chance of winning.
Shooting woes comes back to haunt CJ again
San Miguel was off target in Game 5 after shooting only 32 percent, its worst this conference, tying their output in Game 1 of the semifinals against Barangay Ginebra. One of those that struggled was Cjay Perez, who only had a conference-low five points. Perez hasn’t been shooting that well in this series, averaging only 33 percent, so a big game for him will be a boost to SMB’s title chances.
Battle at the boards
Rebounds proved to be a key statistic in Game 5 as TNT finally outrebounded SMB, 49-48, including a 16-8 advantage in the first quarter. June Mar Fajardo grabbed 13 rebounds in Game 5, but didn’t get enough help with Chris Ross getting the second most rebounds with six pints, and Mo Tautuaa and Rodney Brondial combining for just five rebounds.
Also for the first time in the series, TNT had more points in the paint, 36-34, in Game 5 where the Tropang 5G were without Poy Erram.
SMB must regain its might inside in order to win Game 6.
TNT at home at Philsports?
Game 6 goes to the Philsports Arena, a venue that apparently is good to TNT as it has a four-game winning streak at the venue, with its last defeat dating back to January 31 - a 106-96 loss to Rain or Shine in the final day of the eliminations of the Commissioner’s Cup. That winning streak includes a Game 3 finals win over Barangay Ginebra in the same conference last March 19. TNT has also played at the venue many times this season and has a 7-1 win-loss record at Philsports.
More importantly, TNT is 4-0 in do-or-die games this season.
On the other hand, San Miguel will only play at Philsports for the fourth time this season, and has a 1-2 win-loss mark entering Game 6.
However, TNT also has bad memories at Philsports in the finals as it was in this venue that it lost the title to San Mig Coffee in the 2014 Commissioner’s Cup, the second title in their grand slam that season.
San Miguel, on the other hand, also has some memorable moments at Philsports as it was there were the Beermen started their ‘Beeracle’ by winning Game 4, 110-104, last January 24, 2016.
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