MANILA – San Miguel Beermen and TNT Tropang 5G are set to open another highly anticipated championship showdown when they clash in Game 1 of the PBA Season 50 Philippine Cup Finals tonight at the Ynares Center in Antipolo City.
The series opener is scheduled at 7:30 p.m., with the Beermen eyeing a second straight All-Filipino Cup title, while the Tropang 5G seek redemption after falling short in Season 49.
San Miguel remains confident despite minimal changes to the roster that captured last year’s All-Filipino crown under head coach Leovino Austria.
Leading the Beermen anew are nine-time PBA Most Valuable Player June Mar Fajardo, along with Jaymar Perez, Marcio Lassiter, Celedonio Trollano, Jericho Cruz, Chris Ross, Moala Tautuaa, and Juan Miguel Tiongson.
“It’s not that easy to win a championship because all other teams are out to get you after you win one,” Austria said. “And last time, me mga players ang TNT na hindi nakapaglaro, so now will be tougher.”
On the other hand, TNT enters the Finals with a reinforced lineup following the return of Rey Nambatac and John Paul Erram from injury, as well as the additions of Jiovani Jalalon and Kevin Ferrer through free agency.
Head coach Vincent “Chot” Reyes will also rely on Calvin Oftana, Jordan Heading, Brandon Ganuelas-Rosser, Kelly Williams, and Roger Pogoy, who is expected to return in the middle of the series as he continues to recover from a hamstring injury.
“It really doesn’t matter, it doesn’t affect our optimism,” Reyes said, referring to their injury setbacks last season. “Regardless of who’s healthy or not, all we can do is give our best.”
The Beermen advanced to the Finals after defeating Barangay Ginebra San Miguel Kings in six games, while the Tropang 5G secured their championship berth by dispatching the Meralco Bolts in five games./PN
