Following the controversial TNT escape in Game 1 and the big bounce back from San Miguel in Game 2, the best-of-seven of PBA Philippine Cup Finals series is now back to square one with both teams surely determined to impose their will and get the advantage.

And that makes the Game 3 at the Smart Araneta Coliseum on Friday, July 18, all the more crucial as the Tropang 5G and the Beermen lock horns for the 2-1 series lead and a chance to move two wins away from winning the championship.

Tip-off of the clash is at 7:30 p.m. with the Beermen riding the crest of the 98-92 win that not only tied the series at 1-1 but also erased the bitter taste of the 99-96 loss in the series opener.

“After the loss we had to bounce back and everybody realized na we have to step up kasi hindi biro na malagay sa 0-2,” said Austria after the Beermen’s Game 2 win

“Now we have reduced the series to a best-of-five so the next game is very important for us and for them, as well. The next game is very pivotal, sabi ko nga before, it's a chess match, it's a game of adjustments,” he added.

Indeed, the ball is now on the Tropang 5G’s court as they go back to the drawing board for Game 3. Although the series is still tied, the first two games of the series have been high-scoring contests – a tempo that a team like TNT, all the more a depleted one, does not like to play.

While TNT has been taking away the threat of CJ Perez, who was reduced to just eight points and nine rebounds in Game 2– a far cry to his usual explosive scoring, the Beermen have been pounding the ball inside the paint with guys like June Mar Fajardo, Mo Tautuaa, Rodney Brondial and even Don Trollano all taking advantage of their size.

The activity of Chris Ross, who had seven points, seven assists, four rebounds and four steals, especially on the defensive end has been very disruptive for TNT as well.

And if the task to contain the SMB juggernaut isn't already a daunting challenge, TNT might have to play without center Poy Erram after tweaking his ankle in the last game.

The 6-foot-8 slotman exited the Big Dome on a wheelchair, leaving Kelly Williams, who is also still nursing an ankle injury, and Brandon Ganuelas-Rosser to man the paint for TNT.

With RR Pogoy yet to be fully healed from a hamstring injury and Jordan Heading still bothered by the nagging back injury, the bigger responsibility now falls to the shoulders of Calvin Oftana.

The 6-foot-5 winger did try to carry his team in Game 2, firing 13 of his 23 points in the third quarter although his scoreless fourth quarter is something that TNT cannot afford to happen again if it is to pick up the Game 3 win.