SMB pummels injury-hit TNT, takes 2-1 lead in PBA Ph Cup Finals

Sports

A POWERHOUSE San Miguel Beer was simply too much for an injury-plagued TNT.

That showed in Game 3 of the 49th PBA Philippine Cup Finals where the Beermen mangled the Tropang 5G, 108-88, on Friday night, July 18, at the Araneta Coliseum.

Already without top guards, Jayson Castro and Rey Nambatac, TNT suffered another major blow when big man Poy Erram failed to suit up due to an injured ankle.

Aside from missing key players, the Tropa also dealt with RR Pogoy and Calvin Oftana playing hurt. As a result, the Tropa got pounded by a San Miguel squad, which surged ahead in the series after absorbing a controversial 96-99 loss in Game 1.

Following up their 98-92 victory in Game 2, the Beermen now hold a 2-1 series lead and will gun for a critical 3-1 advantage in Game 3 slated Sunday, July 20. Another San Miguel victory will certainly put TNT’s Grand Slam bid in serious jeopardy.

With one less TNT big man, towering center June Mar Fajardo had a field day as he finished with 33 points and 11 rebounds. The Cebuano big man was unstoppable, making 12 of his 15 shots from the paint.

Chris Ross added points, tallied 13 markers, CJ Perez put in 12, and Don Trollano contributed 10 for the Beermen, who actually started slow before tearing the game apart in the middle periods.

Pogoy and Oftana led the Tropa with 16 and 15 markers, respectively.

THE SCORES:

SAN MIGUEL BEER (108) - Fajardo 33, Ross 15, Cruz 13, Perez 12, Trollano 10, Tautuaa 9, Lassiter 6, Brondial 6, Rosales 2, Teng 2, Tiongson 0, Calma 0.

TNT (88) - Pogoy 16, Offtana 15, Vosotros 14, Khobuntin 13, Williams 11, Heading 10, Ganuelas-Rosser 3, Enciso 3, Galinato 3, Heruela 0, Aurin 0.QUARTERSCORES: 22-25, 59-52, 86-70, 108-88.(CCM)