Manila, Philippines – Game 1 of the Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) Philippine Cup Finals showed no disappointment after what the two teams showcased.
The San Miguel Beermen and TNT Tropang 5G battled head-on, and showed the worthiness of the fans’ time and money.
The Ka-Tropa erupted in the first half, hitting three-pointers left and right, The Beermen couldn’t pick up the pace.
As the TNT had the momentum, they managed to have a 20-point lead to end the first half, including the return of RR Pogoy, who hit a four-point buzzer beater.
The second half came along, the Beermen slowly kept up the pace of TNT and trimmed the lead slowly, with the help of Jun Mar “The Kraken” Fajardo.
With TNT going dry, the stars of SMB including Abai, Don Trollano, and CJ Perez used that opportunity to spark the team’s morale and stay alive in the game.
The final quarter was absolute cinema: both teams getting buckets against each other.
Fajardo’s putback shot gave his team the lead. Meanwhile, TNT gained it again after a broken play in which Brandon Ganuelas Rosser dunk the ball.
The hero of PBA semis game seven: Chris Ross, showed no nervousness as he hit a three-pointer. After that play, RR Pogoy was confident in his shot; fired back a three and gained the lead once again.
It was the final seconds of the fourth quarter when Mo Tautuaa dunks the ball which gave SMB the lead. The referee called it an offensive interference and did not count the basket.
All of SMB were infuriated by that call.
TNT’s Calvin Oftana scored two free-throws and sealed the victory.
The final score of the game — 99 – 96.
The Best Player of the Game was RR Pogoy, who had 23 points in his return.
Game two of the finals will be held on Wednesday, July 16, at Smart Araneta Coliseum.—Kyle Basa, Contributor