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Manila Bulletin devider Sports devider Basketball devider San Miguel out to corner TNT in finals showdown

San Miguel out to corner TNT in finals showdown

Published Jul 19, 2025 03:10 pm

At A Glance

  • San Miguel aims to pin TNT and its Grand Slam aspirations to the ropes as the Beerman gun for a commanding 3-1 lead in Game 4 of the PBA Philippine Cup Finals on Sunday, July 20, at the Mall of Asia Arena.
JUNE MAR Fajardo is expected to step up once again for San Miguel against TNT. (PBA Images)
JUNE MAR Fajardo is expected to step up once again for San Miguel against TNT. (PBA Images)
San Miguel aims to pin TNT and its Grand Slam aspirations to the ropes as the Beerman gun for a commanding 3-1 lead in Game 4 of the PBA Philippine Cup Finals on Sunday, July 20, at the Mall of Asia Arena.
Tip-off is set for 7:30 p.m., with the Beermen riding high on momentum following their dominant 109-88 victory in Game 3.
Before the action begins, the league will hold the Best Player of the Conference award ceremony with SMB star June Mar Fajardo leading the race. Also in contention are teammate CJ Perez, NLEX's Robert Bolick, Magnolia’s Zav Lucero, and Phoenix big man Jason Perkins.
Fajardo showed exactly why he's the frontrunner for a record-extending BPC award, overpowering TNT’s depleted and foul-plagued frontline with a 33-point, 11-rebound performance that allowed San Miguel to wrest control of the series.
But it wasn't just Fajardo doing damage. Veteran guard Chris Ross also played a pivotal role, especially during San Miguel's decisive fourth-quarter run.
While TNT remains a dangerous opponent, SMB head coach Leo Austria believes his team’s veteran leadership gives them a clear edge.
“I think it is the experience of the players dahil alam nila yung fourth quarter was pivotal, and the killer instinct of the players especially June Mar Fajardo and Chris Ross, they know how to handle the finals. Everybody was inspired,” said Austria.
For TNT, the challenge goes beyond defending Fajardo. The team’s mounting turnover issues have become a pressing concern. They committed 17 and 18 turnovers in Games 2 and 3, respectively, compared to just 9 and 10 for the Beermen.
Even in its Game 1 win, TNT tallied 15 turnovers — many of which occurred during a near-collapse in the final period.
“Turnovers were once again a problem. San Miguel's defending us really well and you're right, we're just turning over too much to give ourselves a chance,” said Reyes.
TNT will need to address those issues fast if it hopes to stay in the series and keep its Grand Slam dreams alive against a dominant and fully healthy SMB squad.
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