TNT got fortunate enough in the endgame and escaped San Miguel, 99-96, to take Game 1 of the PBA Season 49 Philippine Cup Finals, Sunday night.
The Tropang 5G squandered a 24-point lead and found themselves in a back-and-forth in the final minutes, but luck sided in their favor after Mo Tautuaa’s supposed go-ahead basket got overturned by game officials after review.
The bruising big actually missed his dunk but scored off a lucky bounce for a 98-97 Beermen lead with 56.1 seconds left to play. However, the refs saw an offensive basket interference following a thorough check during a dead-ball situation.
The score was then reverted to the eventual scoreline, and TNT would get away with the victory — to the disappointment of the SMB fans as they rained down boos inside the SMART Araneta Coliseum.
(C) PBA Images
“We’re very fortunate that it was reversed. It could’ve been a very different story if not. That’s part of the game,” said head coach Chot Reyes.
“I know I’ve been on the opposite side of those breaks in the past, so it’s just something that we’re very fortunate, and were able to take advantage of.”
TNT would not let their efforts be denied, especially Roger Pogoy, who fired 23 points in a solid return from a four-game layoff due to hamstring woes.
The star winger helped lead their blazing start, nailing a total of five shots from the arcs, including a 2-for-2 clip from four-point distance.
But his most important shot came from the three-point area, which he made off a pullup for the 97-96 lead with 1:04 left that put them ahead for good.
Guard Jordan Heading was also big in the triumph with his 19 points on 6-of-11 shooting alongside three rebounds and six assists in his first Finals game.
Calvin Oftana and Brandon Ganuelas-Rosser supplied 13 points apiece, with the former adding nine rebounds to his tally to flirt with a double-double.
(C) PBA Images
On the other hand, June Mar Fajardo saw his efforts wasted by the defeat. He finished with game-highs of 26 points and 15 rebounds for San Miguel.
The eight-time MVP was crucial in the fourth quarter, which they actually won, 30-14, huge thanks to a blistering 19-0 run. The team eventually a 93-92 lead approaching the final two minutes, setting up the crazy finish.
CJ Perez had 19 points and 11 rebounds. Don Trollano had 13 points and five rebounds while Tautua’a added 10 in the heartbreaking defeat.
Game 2 is on Wednesday, still at the Big Dome.
The Scores:
TNT 99 – Pogoy 23, Heading 19, Oftana 13, Ganuelas-Rosser 13, Williams 9, Erram 9, Enciso 6, Khobuntin 5, Heruela 2, Aurin 0.
San Miguel 96 – Fajardo 26, Perez 19, Trollano 13, Tautuaa 10, Cruc 8, Ross 7, Lassiter 7, Tiongson 4, Brondial 2, Teng 0, Rosales 0.
Quarterscores: 28-22, 61-41, 85-66, 99-96.
