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Manila Bulletin devider Sports devider Basketball devider San Miguel back on PH Cup throne, foils TNT's Grand Slam bid

San Miguel back on PH Cup throne, foils TNT's Grand Slam bid

Published Jul 25, 2025 09:13 pm

At A Glance

  • Chris Ross blew a kiss to the San Miguel faithful in the upper box section after drilling a booming triple. It was only the third frame but the sea of red in the crowd was already celebrating in frenzy as if it was finally sensing the championship.
(PBA Images)
(PBA Images)
Chris Ross blew a kiss to the San Miguel faithful in the upper box section after drilling a booming triple. It was only the third frame but the sea of red in the crowd was already celebrating in frenzy as if it was finally sensing the championship.
The Philippine Cup remained SMB’s stomping ground, claiming the PBA Season 49 All-Filipino crown after taking down TNT, 107-96, in Game 6 at the PhilSports Arena, Friday, July 25.
The Beermen rode on a huge third quarter flurry and never looked back from there to wrest their 30th championship –11th in the Philippine Cup while also slamming the door on the Tropang 5Gs Grand Slam hopes in the process.
Jericho Cruz opened the floodgates in that telling quarter, drilling scoring 11 of his 13 points – including seven straight points from a trey and an and-1 play that put SMB ahead by double-digits, 67-56.
The rest of SMB followed suit from there with June Mar Fajardo pouring 24 points and 12 rebounds while CJ Perez, after misfiring in the last three games, found the perfect time to break out of his slump, firing 16 of his 24 points in the first half.
Cruz, who added six rebounds and four assists to his stat line in the title-clincher, was hailed as the Finals Most Valuable Player after a consistent showing that saw him average 14 points, 3.5 rebounds and 2.8 assists throughout the series.
Don Trollano chipped in 12 points while Mo Tautuaa had 10 as they helped give head coach Leo Austria his 10th PBA title.
“This championship will not happen if not for the players. Like I always say, I will not become a good coach if the players will not work hard to win a championship,“ said Austria.
“I owe this to them,“ he added.
Calvin Oftana paced TNT with 19 points while Kelly Williams and Brandon Ganuelas-Rosser chipped in 17 and 15 respectively. The gallant effort, however, went down the drain as the TNT franchise and its head coach Chot Reyes, once again, fell short at claiming the coveted Grand Slam.
Interestingly, it was also the San Miguel franchise, then carrying the Petron Blaze Boosters banner, which stopped TNTs first try at winning the triple crown.
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