Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, August 31) — The TNT Tropang Giga are on the cusp of successfully defending their title in the PBA Philippine Cup.
The Tropang Giga disposed of the San Miguel Beermen, 102-93, in Game 5 of the All-Filipino conference championship series Wednesday at the Smart Araneta Coliseum in Quezon City.
Kelly Williams’ outside shooting proved to be the difference in the endgame as TNT took the 3-2 upperhand in the best-of-seven affair. The 2008 PBA MVP finished with 21 points, including four triples, along with nine rebounds, and three assists.
Unlike in their previous meeting, it was a high-octane display of offensive arsenal early in the match for both squads, with the Beermen holding a 28-24 edge at the end of the first quarter.
TNT’s stingy defense paved the way for them to take the edge, 53-50, heading into the halftime intermission.
A barrage of triples catapulted the Tropang Giga to a 34-point output which stretched their lead to nine points at the end of the third period.
TNT managed to keep San Miguel at bay despite missing Jayson Castro for most part of the second half after spraining his ankle at the 7:29 mark of the third canto.
Mikey Williams, the 2021 PBA Rookie of the Year, had another masterful performance for the Tropang Giga with 23 points, five assists, and four rebounds.
Best Player of the Conference awardee June Mar Fajardo posted 20 points and 16 rebounds, while Jericho Cruz and Mo Tautuaa chipped in 16 and 12 points for the Beermen, respectively.
TNT can close out the championship series on Friday, Sept. 2 at the Big Dome.
