TNT braces for SMB adjustment in game two of Philippine Cup Finals

Game on Friday
(Ynares Center-Antipolo)
7:30 p.m. – San Miguel Beermen vs TNT*
*TNT leads series, 1-0

EVEN if it was a winning performance, TNT’s errors in the PBA Season 50 Philippine Cup finals opener were so glaring that it was the first thing coach Chot Reyes pointed out post-game.

“We cannot survive on 19 turnovers,” said Mr. Reyes as he rued the Tropang 5G’s erratic ways that led to 25 extra points for San Miguel Beermen (SMB) and marred their 96-91 verdict.

“We got to improve that for the next game,” he added ahead of TNT’s bid to make it 2-0 in the race-to-four Last Dance against a Beermen crew hell-bent on a strike back on Friday at the Ynares Center-Antipolo.

Behind a strong defensive and hustle effort led by veteran Kelly Williams, TNT buried SMB to an early 19-point hole. The proud defending champions unleashed a massive comeback in the second half and came close to the Game 1 steal before Mr. Williams and his mates extinguished the threat with clutch endgame plays.

“In the huddle, I said, you know, we defended well. They’re not scoring on the half court set. They’re just scoring off our turnovers. We keep giving the ball to the other team. So I said, every time we make a defensive stop, we need to make sure that we get a shot. Whether we make it or miss it, doesn’t matter as long as we don’t turn it over. And that’s the story,” said Mr. Reyes.

The protagonists go into 7:30 p.m. second match wiser from the lessons of the opening tiff.

“We can’t be content at all against San Miguel. We know they’re going to come back strong, make adjustments so we have to make sure we come out with the same energy, the same togetherness and I think we’ll be fine,” said Mr. Williams who anchored TNT’s tough stance against June Mar Fajardo and Co. with 15 points, nine rebounds and three assists.

Despite the Game 1 heartbreaker, the Beermen still feel good about their chances in the series.

“I know our team has grit. We’re not just going to lay down. We’re not just going to go away. We’ll be ready,” said Mo Tautuaa who backstopped Mr. Fajardo with 22 and led their fightback with 13 third-quarter markers.

SMB took solace in the fact that it finished Game 1 stronger, 55-43, after getting thoroughly dominated by TNT in the first 24 minutes, 36-53. — Olmin Leyba