TNT survives San Miguel comeback after controversial Game 1 ending

MANILA, Philippines, July 14 ------ TNT frittered away a 24-point lead but held on to beat San Miguel, 99-96, following a controversial finish to Game 1 of the PBA Philippine Cup finals at the Araneta Coliseum. The Tropang 5G pulled off the win following a contentious call that overruled a crucial bucket by Beermen big man Mo Tautuaa with a minute left as TNT drew first blood in the best-of-seven clash.

Getting Brandon Ganuelas Rosser to bite on his pump fake, Tautuaa supposedly gave San Miguel a 98-97 lead with 56 seconds to play as the ball bounced in after he missed his dunk attempt. But the officials ruled out the basket for offensive interference as Tautuaa pulled the ring down before the ball went in — the reversal coming with only 6.2 seconds left after Chris Ross forced a jump ball with Jordan Heading. That proved to be the turning point as the Tropang 5G sealed the victory behind Calvin Oftana, who sank two free throws with 3.6 ticks to go.

CJ Perez had ample time to tie the game but his contested three-pointer misfired. “Just when it happened, we were already saying that it looked like offensive interference. So good thing that there was a break on that jump ball that they were able to review it,” said TNT head coach Chot Reyes. “And we’re very fortunate that was reversed. Could have been a very different story if not.”

The rescinded basket spoiled an inspired comeback by the Beermen, who outscored the Tropang 5G 30-14 in the fourth quarter. Down 74-92, San Miguel rode on a blazing 19-0 run anchored by June Mar Fajardo, CJ Perez, and Don Trollano to grab a 93-92 lead as TNT suddenly went cold after a blistering shooting display from beyond the arcs.

Roger Pogoy sank a three-pointer to regain the upper hand for the Tropang 5G, 97-96, before the polarizing ending. “We had no illusions that San Miguel would just roll and lay down. So we knew that they were going to mount a fightback and we kept talking to our players about it during the break, during timeouts. When they were making a run, we kept telling the players to just relax, stay calm,” said Reyes.

Jordan Heading supplied 19 points, 6 assists, and 3 rebounds, while Oftana tallied 13 points and 9 rebounds. Pogoy paced TNT with 23 points on 7-of-11 shooting, marking a successful return from a hamstring injury that kept him out of the last four games of the semifinals against Rain or Shine. His presence ignited a stellar start for the Tropang 5G, who shot 9-of-17 from three-point land and 3-of-4 from four-point range in the first half. Pogoy even beat the halftime buzzer with a four-pointer as TNT built a commanding 61-41 lead.

Jordan Heading backstopped Pogoy with 19 points, 6 assists, and 3 rebounds, Oftana supplied 13 points and 9 rebounds, while Ganuelas-Rosser delivered 13 points, 4 blocks, and 3 rebounds. Also back after sustaining an ankle injury in Game 4 of the semifinals, Kelly Williams made his presence felt for the Tropang 5G with 9 points, 7 rebounds, and 5 assists. Fajardo showed the way for the Beermen with 26 points, 15 rebounds, 2 blocks, and 2 steals.

The Scores

TNT 99 – Pogoy 23, Heading 19, Oftana 13, Ganuelas-Rosser 13, Williams 9, Erram 9, Enciso 6, Khobuntin 5, Heruela 2, Aurin 0.

San Miguel 96 – Fajardo 26, Perez 19, Trollano 13, Tautuaa 10, Cruc 8, Ross 7, Lassiter 7, Tiongson 4, Brondial 2, Teng 0, Rosales 0.

Quarters: 28-22, 61-41, 85-66, 99-96.

Source: rappler.com