ANTIPOLO – TNT pushed San Miguel in danger of missing the playoffs of the conference where it has a title to defend following a 115-97 beatdown in a rivalry match that hardly felt like one, Sunday night at the Ynares Center here.
The Tropang Giga jumped to a big lead early before breaking the game open in the third, and that proved to be the start of a lopsided show that left fans and pundits talking more about the predicament that the Beermen have fallen into.
It’s because the traditional contenders concluded their PBA Season 49 Commissioner’s Cup campaign at 5-7, the first time that they ended an elimination round with a losing record since the 2019 edition of the tilt (5-6).
Well, they did get lucky and managed to reach the quarterfinals at that time and went on to win the crown with Chris McCullough in tow, but it may become a different story this time as the club fell all the way down to 10th.
That, after sharing the eighth spot with 5-6 teams NLEX and Magnolia, which beat Hong Kong Eastern earlier by way of a 107-78 rout.
Now, San Miguel’s playoff aspirations no longer lie on their hands, and can only pray that the Road Warriors and the Hotshots lose their remaining games against HK and Meralco, respectively, to at least have a chance.
But while they hope against hope, TNT has put itself in prime position for a top two finish, which merits a twice-to-beat edge for the quarterfinals, after hiking their record to 8-3, taking solo second behind the 9-3 NorthPort.
(C) PBA Images
“The important thing is we put ourselves in that position,” said head coach Chot Reyes as they have control of their fate for the next round.
“And what I’ve learned in this life, is you’ll never really know what’s going to happen. Things are so unpredictable. The best you can do is to give yourself a shot and I think that’s the significance of this win,” he furthered.
Rondae Hollis-Jefferson yet again played a major role in the triumph, leading the way with a monster line of 35 points, 21 points, and 10 rebounds.
The two-time Best Import nailed a four-pointer during the tailend of the game for a 115-95 lead, serving as the exclamation point to another stupendous performance — and to deal a blow so tough to an already floored opposition.
Roger Pogoy fired 22 points on 9-of-14 shooting from the field. Calvin Oftana made 16 points, while Jayson Castro and Poy Erram finished with 14 apiece.
TNT will look to finish the eliminations with another W as it battles the free-falling Rain or Shine — currently at no. 7 with a 6-5 card — on Friday, January 31, 7:30 p.m. at the Philsports Arena in the final game of the said phase.
(C) PBA Images
June Mar Fajardo, meanwhile, had 34 points and 13 rebounds as he attempted to carry and save the Beermen only to see themselves get blown out.
Don Trollano supplied 13 points while Mo Tautuaa added 10 markers for SMB, which actually caught fire in the second quarter and took a 39-37 lead. But the Tropa recovered, and came into the break holding a 56-49 advantage.
Then came their foes’ barrage in the third canto, leaving Coach Leo Austria and Co. with little to no response as it became all TNT the rest of the way.
The Scores:
TNT 115 – Hollis-Jefferson 35, Pogoy 22, Oftana 16, Castro 14, Erram 14, Nambatac 6, Williams 6, Galinato 2, Heruela 0, Khobuntin 0, Razon 0, Exciminiano 0.
San Miguel 97 – Fajardo 34, Trollano 13, Pope 10, Tautuaa 10, Lassiter 9, Perez 9, Cruz 6, Ross 3, Tiongson 3, Cahilig 0, Rosales 0.
Quarterscores: 31-19, 56-49, 87-70, 115-97.
