TNT asserts mastery over San Miguel, arranges Finals clash with Magnolia

TNT grabbed the final seat in the 2021 PBA Philippine Cup Finals after crushing San Miguel, 97-79, Sunday night at the Don Honorio Ventura State University in Bacolor, Pampanga.

The Tropang Giga will face the Magnolia Pambansang Manok Hotshots in the PBA Finals.

RR Pogoy led the way for the 7-time PBA Champs with 26 points on 10-of-19 shooting spiked by 4 three-pointers while Mikey Williams racked up 20 points, 8 rebounds and 6 assists. Troy Rosario posted a double-double performance of 12 markers and 12 boards.

“We told the players before the game, that if you had told me before the series that if we’re going to play the first four games without our starting center and they were going to play the last few games with our backup center with a fractured bone and we’re going to finish 3-3 after 6 game and then we would be very very happy,” said TNT coach Chot Reyes.

“I thought this was the most important thing. I said let’s look forward to this game. Let’s be excited, let’s look forward because we’re so fortunate, we’re so blessed to be even in this position,” he added.

The Beermen’s mission of re-claiming the All-Filipino crown has come to an end after falling into the hands of the determined Tropang Giga.

June Mar Fajardo registered an eye-popping double-double of 22 points and 16 rebounds in a losing effort while Chris Ross tallied 12 points, 11 rebounds and 3 assists. CJ Perez added 11 points on 37% shooting from the field.

The scores :

TNT 97 – Pogoy 27, M.Williams 20, Rosario 12, K. Williams 11, Erram 9, Reyes 7, Castro 6, Heruela 3, Khobuntin 2, Montalbo 0, Exciminiano 0, Marcelo 0.

SAN MIGUEL 79 – Fajardo 22, Ross 15, Perez 11, Romeo 9, Santos 9, Pessumal 8, Cabagnot 3, Tautuaa 2, Lassiter 0, Sena 0, Zamar 0, Comboy 0.

Quarterscores: 15-23, 45-36, 67-55, 97-79.