(CNN Philippines, August 24) — San Miguel’s CJ Perez and Vic Manuel led the way as the Beermen defeated the TNT Tropang Giga, 109-100, in Game 2 to level the best-of-seven series of the 2022 PBA Philippine Cup finals Wednesday at the Smart Araneta Coliseum in Quezon City.
Perez finished the match with 23 points and five rebounds, while Manuel contributed 20 points for their storied franchise.
San Miguel’s lead ballooned to as high as 15 points. The conference’s top seed, unlike in Game 1, was able to protect the lead until the final buzzer.
The Tropang Giga, which played minus head coach Chot Reyes due to his commitment with Gilas Pilipinas, were steered by RR Pogoy whose hot hands were not enough to carry his team to victory.
Marcio Lassiter chipped in 19 points, while six-time MVP June Mar Fajardo added 13 points for the Beermen.
Pogoy paced TNT with 28 markers and four boards.
Game 3 is slated on Aug. 26 at the Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City.
