TNT blasts San Miguel in Game 5, a win away from PH Cup crown
THE TNT Tropang Giga moved to a win away from capturing the PBA Season 47 Philippine Cup after it beat the San Miguel Beermen, 102-93, in Game 5 on Aug. 31 at the Smart-Araneta Coliseum.
Mikey Williams hit six of the team’s 13 three-pointers while Kelly Williams flashed his vintage form, finishing with 21 points and nine rebounds to help TNT take a 3-2 series lead in this Best-of-7 affair.
TNT will try to wrap things up and claim the title in Game 6 on Sept. 2.
The Tropang Giga snatched the win despite missing veteran leader Jayson Castro for most of the second half due to an ankle injury.
Mikey Williams led all scorers with 23 points, five assists and four rebounds. He had 12 in the third period where TNT took an 84-75 lead.
TNT eventually took an 11-point lead in the fourth but San Miguel came roaring to within four, 91-95, after a bucket by Mo Tautuaa with 2:59 remaining in the match. But TNT kept San Miguel at bay, thanks to a slam dunk by Poy Erram and a three-pointer from Kelly Williams for a 100-91 lead with 1:08 left.
Erram added 17 points and seven boards for TNT.
Afterward, TNT head coach Chot Reyes lauded his team’s proficient outside shooting prowess.
“Our team is built on that,” said Reyes. “We put a lot of work and effort in our outside shooting which is a function of our spacing and ball movement. We take what the defense gives us. San Miguel does a good job clogging the lanes, taking away our penetration and inside game. For us to solve it, we have to hit from the outside.”
June Mar Fajardo led San Miguel with 20 points and 16 rebounds.