When TNT Katropa blazed up three minutes prior to halftime of Game Five, where they established a 61-46 lead, the odds were seemingly in their favor, and many thought they had finally solved the San Miguel Beermen puzzle.
But their corporate rivals leaned on another third quarter surge.
San Miguel stormed back in the second half, evaporating the 15-point deficit in the process and eventually completing the comeback,, 111-102, and take a 3-2 lead in the Finals series.
Disappointment wafted through the air, especially in TNT’s locker room at the SMART-Araneta Coliseum. And one of those dejected was Ranidel De Ocampo, whose series-high 19-points went for naught
“Natalo kami sa third quarter. Nasayang yung lamang naming malaki. Naubos,” stressed the 13-year league veteran, who is averaging 11.0 points on 55.17 percent shooting in the series.
“Nagkaroon ng turnovers, tapos tumabla sila. Offensive rebounds [din].”
This marks the second time in the title series that the Katropa have blown a double-digit advantage.
The first one took place in Game Two, where they opened the match with a historic 17-0 run only to squander it and lose in the end.
Furthermore, TNT have always found themselves in trouble come the third quarter. For five games, the Katropa have scored an average of just 21 points in the quarter, while allowing San Miguel to put up an average of 31.6 points.
“Alam naman namin na lagi kaming natatalo sa third quarter — in-anticipate na nga namin eh, pero nangyari pa rin,” rued the 35-year-old, who missed Game One of the Finals.
“Magaling talaga yung team nila.”
One wrong move in Game Six on Sunday, July 2, will spell the end of the Katropa’s hopes of winning the mid-season conference crown. But De Ocampo and his wards remain undaunted, and their only goal now is to bounce back.
“Unahan pa rin naman yan, kung sino yung unang maka-apat na panalo. Yun ang iniisip namin ngayon. Wala kaming ibang iniisip kundi bumawi,” shared the two-time Finals Most Valuable Player.
“Sinabi ko lang [sa kanila] na heads up lang. Force natin yung Game Seven.”
And they have no other choice but to keep on pushing.
