This one is for San Mig to take: Austria

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DEFENDING champion TNT is out to extend its reign, while fancied San Miguel Beer is raring to regain lost glory in the import-less tourney where it used to be a powerhouse.

Which team will gain a head start in the Big Dance will be known on Sunday as the Tropang Giga and the Beermen square off in Game 1 of their best-of-7 battle for the PBA Philippine Cup crown at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.

The match is set at 6 p.m., with the combatants seeking the early lead in the race-to-4 series.

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TNT coach Chot Reyes admitted his charges will have their hands full against a new-look SMB quintet, which despite losing two players of its dreaded “Death Five” in Arwind Santos and Alex Cabagnot remains formidable due to the presence of prized center June Mar Fajardo.

“We all know the problem that San Miguel presents with June Mar (Fajardo), with their size and overall talent,” Reyes said.

“It’s going to test our versatility. We’re really going to be tested,” he added.

The Tropang Giga finished as the No. 2 team with an 8-3 card after the eliminations and made short work of No. 7 Converge in the quarterfinals before beating Magnolia 4-2 in the semifinals capped by an 87-74 whipping of the Hotshots five days ago.

The likes of Mikey Williams, Jayson Castro, JP Erram, Troy Rosario, Roger Pogoy, and Glenn Khobuntin are expected to carry the fight for TNT in its drive to do an encore to its title triumph last year in Bacolor in the season-opening tilt.

The Beermen emerged as the elims pacesetter with a 9-2 mark and needed only one game to send eight-ranked Blackwater packing in the quarters.

SMB advanced to the finals of the all-Filipino meet for the first time since 2019 after blasting Meralco 100-89 in Game 7 of their semis duel last Wednesday.

Beermen coach Leo Austria said his wards are not lacking motivation.

“Nag-struggle kami early in the tournament because of injuries. Nakapag-No. 1 pa rin sa elims, at nakalusot sa quarters at sa semis, but not yet finished,” Austria said.

“In a tournament, hindi nakikilala ang second place. Kailangan nilang manalo ng championship for them to have a legacy.”

It’s for SMB to take, according to Austria.

“Almost three years since 2019, we did not make it to the finals, I think in the last four conferences. Hopefully, we can win a championship,” he said.

“Actually, that’s the main goal, step by step from the eliminations, quarterfinals, and semifinals. We have to realize iyong dream namin, iyong goal namin which is achievable.”

The Beermen will rely on June Mar Fajardo, CJ Perez, Vic Manuel, Marcio Lassiter, Jericho Cruz, Mo Tautuaa, and Chris Ross.

SMB ripped TNT 115-99 in their elims tiff last July 7.

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