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Manila Bulletin devider Sports devider Basketball devider SMB wary of shorthanded TNT

SMB wary of shorthanded TNT

Published Jul 31, 2026 02:37 pm

At A Glance

  • According to San Miguel assistant coach Peter Martin, there's only three constant things in this world: Death, taxes, and all PBA teams playing well against the Beermen.
According to San Miguel assistant coach Peter Martin, there’s only three constant things in this world: Death, taxes, and all PBA teams playing well against the Beermen.
And that’s exactly the mentality SMB is taking ahead of its marquee matchup against TNT in the Season 50 Governors’ Cup at the Mall of Asia Arena on Saturday, Aug. 1.
The Beermen are expecting no less than a dogfight against the Tropang 5G even with the defending champion playing shorthanded in the clash set at 7:30 p.m.
The mouthwatering matchup will come after another intriguing battle between undefeated NLEX and an up-and-down Converge in the first offering at 5:15p.m.
Although playing with a more complete lineup despite injuries to CJ Perez and June Mar Fajardo, SMB is refusing to be complacent against TNT.
For one, even without key players Calvin Oftana, Jayson Castro, Brandon Ganuelas-Rosser and Kelly Williams, and RR Pogoy and Jordan Heading sustaining injuries, the Tropang 5G still pulled off a 110-107 win over a stacked Converge lineup.
“Generally speaking, CJ's not far from 100%. Maybe 75-80 percent. You know why he played a while ago. June Mar is 85-90 percent,” said Martin.
“I know that they're more banged up because they came from a championship run where they lost in seven games. We were able to practice earlier. We think that it's still going to be a difficult game,” he added.
SMB is currently at 4-1 record, looking to close out the first round of the elimination strong while TNT is in the middle of the Group A pack with a 2-2 slate.
Good thing for TNT, help is finally coming its way with Rahlir Hollis-Jefferson reinforcing the team in lieu of Darius Days, who head coach Chot Reyes believed was far from his shape that the team knew him for.
Rey Nambatac will be leading the charge for TNT after draining the game-winning triple last time out. Both Pogoy and Heading are both questionable although expected to still suit up for the team.
Henry Galinato, meanwhile, will have a tough task of putting a body on Fajardo while Kim Aurin and Sean Quitevis should provide welcome contributions for the shorthanded TNT.

Related Tags

PBA PBA Governors\' Cup TNT Tropang 5G San Miguel Beer
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