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Manila Bulletin devider Sports devider Basketball devider San Miguel eyes clincher, second straight PH Cup title vs TNT

San Miguel eyes clincher, second straight PH Cup title vs TNT

Published Jan 31, 2026 01:35 pm

At A Glance

  • A dogfight — fierce and emotional – is in the offing in Game 6 of their finals series at the Mall of Asia Arena on Sunday, Feb. 1.
San Miguel is already hoping to celebrate when it wins a second straight Philippine Cup crown at the end of the final buzzer.
But the desperate TNT side wants none of that as it fights to extend the series to winner-take-all.
A dogfight — fierce and emotional – is in the offing in Game 6 of their finals series at the Mall of Asia Arena on Sunday, Feb. 1.
Although one win away from raising another Jun Bernardino trophy, SMB head coach Leo Austria is refusing to get too ahead of himself as he expects a different TNT team when its back is against the wall.
“We should be motivated with that opportunity. But it's not that easy,” said Austria after his side pulled off a 96-82 come-from-behind win over TNT to take a 3-2 series lead.
“Because their back is against the wall naman. Just like what happened in the last game. I'm expecting a different ballgame from them,” he added.
Austria was referring to the 110-87 victory of TNT in Game 4 where the Tropang 5G came out with guns blazing to avoid falling to a 1-3 deficit. That same hot-shooting even got carried over to the start of Game 5 as TNT seized a huge 16 point lead in the opening frame 23-7.
But the Beermen managed to make the adjustments with blue collar players Rodney Brondial and Kris Rosales providing the spark for SMB.
The same ability to adapt will be key in Game 6 according to Austria.
“It's up to us how to realize the situation is. Because everybody wants to finish this. But there's no assurance. Basta gagawin namin, we have to keep on working hard. And try to know and realize what's really happening in the game,” said the veteran coach.
“Alam naman natin, this is a game of adjustment,” he added.
The biggest concern, however, is the health of June Mar Fajardo who hurt his knee in the third quarter of Game 5. Though he managed to return and finish the game, Austria assured the team will have extra precaution in managing the nine-time MVP’s injury.
For TNT to extend the series, on the other hand, Calvin Oftana, Jordan Heading and even Kelly Williams should be on their top forms to provide the much-needed firepower to beat the depth of SMB.
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