TNT holds off SMB in PBA Ph Cup Finals opener

Sports

A PREDICTION that the San Miguel Beermen would sweep the TNT Tropang 5G in the 50th PBA Philippine Cup Finals is not happening.

The Tropa started strong then hung tough in the endgame to repulse the Beermen, 96-91, in Game 1 of their best-of-seven championship series on Wednesday night, Jan. 21, at the Ynares Center in Antipolo.

TNT raced to an early 19-point lead then took a 53-36 advantage at the half before San Miguel roared back in the endgame.

San Miguel moved within 91-92 but luckily for TNT, Jordan Heading went steady from the foul line to escape with the win.

Heading went 4-for-4 from the charity stripe closing seconds and Don Trollano missed two potential game-tying triples that settled the outcome of the entertaining contest.

Six TNT players scored in double figures with Kelly Williams leading the way with 15. Heading and Calvin Oftana added 13 points each, Henry Galinato chipped in 12, Rey Nambatac had 11, and Simon Enciso contributed 10.

June Mar Fajardo tallied 24 points and 17 rebounds to lead the Beermen, who also got 22 markers from Moala Tautuaa.

Trollano, who predicted a 4-0 San Miguel sweep, scored just four points.

THE SCORES:

TNT (96) – Williams 15, Heading 13, Oftana 13, Galinato 12, Nambatac 11, Enciso 10, Ganuelas-Rosser 8, Erram 6, Khobuntin 4, Ferrer 2, Aurin 2.

SAN MIGUEL (91) – Fajardo 24, Tautuaa 22, Perez 16, Brondial 10, Cruz 8, Tiongson 5, Trollano 4, Ross 2, Lassiter 0, Cahilig 0, Rosales 0, Teng 0.QUARTERSCORES: 29-20, 53-36, 70-64, 96-91.(CCM)