TWO elite teams start their intriguing title clash as the defending champions San Miguel Beermen and TNT Tropang 5G battle in Game 1 of the 50th PBA Philippine Cup Finals on Wednesday night, Jan. 21, at the Ynares Center in Antipolo City.

Tip-off is set at 7:30 p.m.

The Beermen are seeking validation while it will be a case of redemption for the Tropa.

The two squads also met in the best-of-seven Finals in last season’s Philippine Cup with the Beermen emerging victorious. San Miguel’s win denied TNT from completing a grand slam.

The two finalists dispatched their respective sister teams in the best-of-seven semifinals. San Miguel ousted the Barangay Ginebra Kings in six games while TNT needed just five games to dispacth the Meralco Bolts and seal its fourth straight Finals appearance.

In their elimination-round encounter, the Beermen dominated the Tropa, 110-95, with CJ Perez exploding for 33 points.

Perez will be one of the Beermen’s main weapons in the title series along with June Mar Fajardo, Don Trollano, and Marcio Lassiter.

Expected to lend a hand for San Miguel are Jericho Cruz, Chris Ross, Rodney Brondial, Juami Tiongson, and Mo Tautuaa.

TNT, on the other hand, will heavily rely on Calvin Oftana, Rey Nambatac, Poy Erram, Brandon Ganuels-Rosser, Kelly Williams, RR Pogoy, Jordan Heading, and Glenn Khobuntin.(CCM)

• Tags
• #San Miguel Beermen
• #TNT Tropang 5G
• #Philippine Basketball Association
• #PBA
• #Philippine Cup Finals
• #50th PBA Philippine Cup
• #Ynares Center
• #Antipolo City
• #Jan. 21
• #CJ Perez
• #June Mar Fajardo
• #Don Trollano
• #Marcio Lassiter
• #Jericho Cruz
• #Chris Ross
• #Rodney