MANILA – TNT Tropang 5G squandered a 19-point lead before pulling off a 96-91 victory over the San Miguel Beermen in Game 1 of the PBA Season 50 Philippine Cup Finals at the Ynares Center in Antipolo City.
Kelly Williams finished with a team-high of 15 points to go with nine rebounds and three assists to be named Player of the Game on Wednesday night as the Tropang 5G took a 1-0 lead in the series.
Calvin Oftana and Jordan Heading added 13 markers apiece, while Henry Galinato Jr., Rey Nambatac, and Simon Enciso contributed 12, 11, and 10 markers, respectively, for TNT.
The Tropang 5G waxed hot early behind the inside conversions from Williams and Galinato and outside hits from Enciso to establish a 19-point advantage late in the second period.
The Beermen started strong in the third frame as they managed to cut the deficit to a single point behind inside hits from Rodney Brondial, but three-pointers by Nambatac and inside baskets from Brandon Ganuelas-Rosser kept the Tropang 5G in the lead.
San Miguel Beer pulled closest at 91-92 on back-to-back inside conversions from Jericho Cruz but four straight free throws from Heading gave TNT a 96-91 edge, sealing the series opener win.
June Mar Fajardo finished with a double-double of 24 points and 17 rebounds to lead the Beermen, Moala Tautuaa added 22 markers, while Jaymar Perez and Rodney Brondial had 16 and 10, respectively.
The Tropang 5G will aim for a 2-0 series lead, while the reigning champion Beermen looks to equalize in Game 2 of the series tonight at the same venue./PN
BOX SCORE:
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.
