MANILA – San Miguel Beermen overcame a flat start to score a 96-82 victory over TNT Tropang 5G in Game 5 of the PBA Season 50 Philippine Cup Finals last night at the Ynares Center in Antipolo City.
Rodney Brondial finished with a double-double of 17 points and 14 rebounds to go with two blocks and an assist to be named Player of the Game as the Beermen seized a 3-2 lead in the best-of-seven series.
June Mar Fajardo overcame a knee injury to tally 14 points and 11 rebounds, Celedonio Trollano and Aklanon Kris Rosales had 14 and 12, respectively, Marcio Lassiter and Moala Tautuaa had 11 apiece and Jaymar Perez ended with 10 for SMB.
Down by as many as 16 points in the opening quarter behind the torrid outside shooting of the Tropang 5G, the Beermen slowly clawed their way back in the second frame to cut the deficit to 47-48 at the half.
The Beermen opened the third quarter with a 7-0 blast to take a 54-48 edge before they surged to a 77-59 lead behind conversions from Brondial, Trollano, and Ilonggo Jericho Cruz.
The Tropang 5G repeatedly threatened to cut the deficit in the final quarter, but the Beermen responded with timely conversions from Trollano, Fajardo, and Brondial to seal the win.
Calvin Oftana led the Tropang 5G with 20 points and nine rebounds, Jordan Heading added 13 markers, while Henry Galinato Jr. and Rey Nambatac ended with 11 and 10, respectively.
The Beermen can wrap up the championship series in Game 6 on Sunday evening at the SM Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City./PN
BOX SCORE:
SAN MIGUEL 96 — Brondial 17, Trollano 14, Fajardo 14, Rosales 12, Lassiter 11, Tautuaa 11, Perez 10, Cruz 5, Ross 2, Cahilig 0.
TNT 82 — Oftana 20, Heading 13, Galinato 11, Nambatac 10, Williams 9, Erram 5, Ganuelas-Rosser 3, Enciso 3, Khobuntin 3, Jalalon 3, Ferrer 2, Aurin 0, Hill 0.
Quarterscores: 19-29, 47-48, 77-61, 96-82.
