TNT routs San Miguel in Game 3 to regain control of semifinal series

JP Erram posted a double-double performance as TNT regained control in the 2021 PBA Philippine Cup semifinals after crushing San Miguel, 115-98, Friday night at the Don Honorio Ventura State University in Bacolor, Pampanga.

The 2-time PBA All-Star finished with 21 points, 13 rebounds and 3 steals.

RR Pogoy topscored for the Tropang Giga with 26 points on 9-of-20 shooting from the field spiked by 3 three-pointers while Mikey Williams recorded his series-high 20 points and converted 4 baskets from beyond the arc. Troy Rosario added 14 markers and 7 boards.

“Actually, we were very sad and disappointed after the Game 2 loss. But I just reminded the players, ‘If you take a look before the series, then you say na lalaban natin ang San Miguel then wala si Kelly. After 2 games, if it was 1-all, masaya pa tayo doon diba? Malungkot ba tayo or masaya?’ Sila nagsabi na ‘masaya tayo’. I just reminded them of that,” said TNT coach Chot Reyes.

“So sabi namin, we just look forward to Game 3. And figure out how we can be better. We cannot be better than (San Miguel) in terms of talent or size. So just focus in putting it in better effort,” he added.

Unlike in Game 2, there was no miracle for the Beermen this time around as the Leo Austria-mentored squad failed to overhaul a 25-point advantage of the 7-time PBA Champs.

Terrence Romeo paced the 27-time PBA Champions with 22 points on 52% shooting from the field while JuneMar Fajardo and CJ Perez tallied 14 points apiece. Veteran guard Alex Cabagnot contributed 12 points, 2 board and 2 dimes.

The scores :

TNT 115 – Pogoy 26, Erram 21, M.Williams 20, Rosario 14, Montalbo 9, Castro 9, Heruela 4, Khobuntin 4, Marcelo 2, Reyes 2, Mendoza 2, Exciminiano 0, Alejandro 0.

San Miguel 98 – Romeo 22, Perez 14, Fajardo 14, Cabagnot 12, Tautuaa 11, Santos 9, Pessumal 5, Lassiter 3, Ross 3, Gamalinda 3, Zamar 2, Gotladera 0, Comboy 0.

Quarterscores: 29-20, 54-42, 85-68, 115-98.