GAME TOMORROW
(Smart Araneta Coliseum)
7:30 p.m. – SMB vs. TNT
AFTER a fiery start to its Grand Slam drive in the opening match of the Big Dance, TNT faced a crucial distress call that came in a form of a vicious San Miguel Beer comeback last Sunday night.
Tropang 5G coach Chot Reyes said he was hardly surprised when the Beermen uncorked a 19-0 blitz to start the final canto after falling by as much as 24 points.
Only that Reyes’ charges keep their poise to outlast SMB 99-96 in a highly-emotional and controversial Game 1 of their best-of-7 finals clash for the PBA Philippine Cup title.
“We had no illusions that San Miguel will just roll and lay down. So, we knew that they were going to mount a fightback, and we kept talking to our players about it during timeouts,” Reyes said. “When they were making a run, we kept telling the players to just relax, stay calm and we had some really good looks in that stretch.
“We missed a couple of layups, and that’s what happens against a team like San Miguel. When you give them an inch of opportunity, they’re going to pounce on it,” he added.
Playing through a hamstring injury, Roger Pogoy dazzled with 23 points on three three-pointers and a pair of fours, to go with two rebounds and two assists for TNT while Jordan Heading complemented him with 19 markers, three boards, and six dimes.
Calvin Oftana and Brandon Ganuelas-Rosser also did their part with 13 points each as the Tropang 5G gained the head start in the race-to-4 series.
The second match is set for tomorrow at the Smart Araneta Coliseum, with TNT eyeing to go 2-0 against a fired-up SMB five which lost the first game on the heels of a late-game nullified slam dunk by center Mo Tautuaa due what the technical committee deemed as “offensive interference.”
Reyes agreed there would have been a different ending had the basket was not waived off.
“Just when it happened, we were already saying that it looked like offensive interference. So, good thing that there was a break on that jump ball that they were able to review it and we’re very fortunate that that was reversed,” Reyes said. “Could have been a very different story, if not. So, that’s part of our game. 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 we were able to take advantage of it.”
The Tropang 5G were good to be lucky and good—just imagine the grit and fortitude of Reyes’ wards Pogoy and Kelly Williams (sprained ankle) suiting up and making key contributions despite playing hurt.
“We took a look at them in practice last Saturday. He (Williams) was able to join the practice. He looked good and I asked him, he said he was ready just for a short minute and we like to start him because he’s a good matchup for June Mar (Fajardo). So, again, let’s hope that his ankle doesn’t swell up too much so that he can continue giving us minutes. He played, what, 27 minutes?” posed Reyes.
“Roger, 18 minutes. Hopefully, we can increase those minutes as the series goes on. But real testament to the courage of these two guys, Roger and Kelly. Just being able, being ready, to play through their injuries.”
