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Manila Bulletin devider Sports devider Basketball devider Royal rumble: TNT, SMB begin historic Finals showdown

Royal rumble: TNT, SMB begin historic Finals showdown

Published Jul 12, 2025 02:43 pm

At A Glance

  • The chase for glory officially begins on Sunday, July 13, with the historic Smart Araneta Coliseum sets the stage for Game 1 of another marquee best-of-seven PBA Finals showdown between San Miguel and TNT.
Calvin Oftana is expected to carry the offensive load for TNT. (PBA Images)
Calvin Oftana is expected to carry the offensive load for TNT. (PBA Images)
The chase for glory officially begins on Sunday, July 13, with the historic Smart Araneta Coliseum sets the stage for Game 1 of another marquee best-of-seven PBA Finals showdown between San Miguel and TNT.
Looking to cement their place in league history, the Tropang Giga know how crucial it is to set the tone in this race-to-four series—especially against a seasoned Beermen squad that thrives under the pressure, lights, and atmosphere of the All-Filipino Finals.
Tip-off is at 7:30 p.m., with TNT hoping that its week-long rest will be enough to recover from recent injuries and remain competitive against an almost fully healthy San Miguel lineup.
Despite the setbacks, TNT head coach Chot Reyes is banking on the same heart and resilience that brought the team to the brink of a rare Grand Slam.
“Sinasabi namin palagi sa team namin, as long as you keep fighting, then you'll give yourself a chance,” said Reyes during the pre-finals press conference at the Chardonnay by Astoria in Pasig City.
“And now we're here. We've given ourselves a chance. We know napakalakas ng kalaban namin with all of our injuries as well. We will just do what we've been doing the whole conference. Keep fighting and just trying to give ourselves a chance,” he added.
Calvin Oftanta is expected to shoulder much of the offensive load for TNT with RR Pogoy still doubtful for the series opener. Kelly Williams remains questionable as well and could join Rey Nambatac and Jayson Castro in cheering from the sidelines if ruled out.
But the challenge ahead is daunting. San Miguel appears to be at full strength, led by a revitalized June Mar Fajardo, who seems to have shaken off the calf injury that limited him in the semifinals.
Fajardo is also expected to be flanked by a dangerous supporting cast hungry to reclaim the crown, making the Beermen as lethal and formidable as ever.
Still, San Miguel head coach Leo Austria is staying grounded, acknowledging that TNT remains a serious threat despite its injury woes.
“There are so many injured players (but) that's not really a question for me. The mere fact that  they are in the finals in spite of those adversaries, (means) they are really competitive,” Austria said of TNT.
“And knowing that team, they've been together for a while, especially in the last two conferences. That's enough experience for them to play well,” he added.
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