TNT bounces back, demolishes San Miguel by 20 in Game 5
TNT Tropang Giga is now one game away from entering the 2021 PBA Philippine Cup after it destroyed the San Miguel Beermen, 110-90 in Game Five of their semifinals series at the Don Honorio Ventura State University Gym at Bacolor, Pampanga, Wednesday night.
Jayson Castro led all TNT players with 19 points and 8 assists off the bench as the Tropang Giga led from start to finish as they bounced back from an ugly 26-point beatdown in Game Four. Rookie sensation Mikey Williams and RR Pogoy also contributed 18 points apiece.
A positive sign for the Tropang Giga was the return of Kelly Williams after completing the league’s safety and health protocols and JP Erram who hurt himself in Game Four after colliding with Mo Tautuaa. The duo of Williams and Erram combined for 22 points and 9 rebounds but more importantly gave six-time PBA MVP JuneMar Fajardo a hard time underneat the basket.
The Tropang Giga were firing from all cylinders to start the game, leading 32-17 at the end of the first quarter. The lead ballooned to 26 at the half, 61-35. The Beermen, led by Fajardo, CJ Perez and Arwind Santos, tried to mount a comeback in the second half but failed due to suffocating defense and efficient shooting by the TNT side.
Junemar Fajardo had a 23 points 12 rebounds double double to lead the Beermen.
TNT now leads the series, 3-2 with Game Six to be played on Friday.
The scores:
TNT 110 – Castro 19, M. Williams 18, Pogoy 18, Rosario 17, K. Williams 12, Erram 10, Reyes 6, Montalbo 5, Exciminiano 3, Marcelo 2, Khobuntin 0, Heruela 0, Alejandro 0.
San Miguel 90 – Fajardo 23, Perez 18, Santos 14, Romeo 12, Tautuaa 10, Lassiter 5, Pessumal 3, Ross 3, Cabagnot 2, Zamar 0, Gamalinda 0, Sena 0.
Quarterscores: 32-17, 61-35, 81-61, 110-90.