TNT KaTropa raps San Miguel, takes 3-2 series advantage
Game Today (Mall of Asia Arena) 7 p.m. – Ginebra vs Star (Series tied 2-2)
Kelly Williams delivered a vintage fourth quarter performance last night as TNT KaTropa helped its own cause in defeating the San Miguel Beermen, 101-94, to take a 3-2 lead in their best-of-seven semifinal series in the PBA Philippine Cup at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
Williams, who in 2008 won the league's Most Valuable Player for the Sta. Lucia Realtors, scored eight of his 18 points in the fourth quarter, most of which made on reverse layups against the usually-unflappable June Mar Fajardo that allowed the KaTropa to move a win shy of advancing to the finals.
He also got help from Jayson Castro and Ranidel de Ocampo, who likewise scored 18 points apiece for TNT, which can put an end to San Miguel's bid to capture a third straight All-Filipino title and wrest the Jun Bernardino Perpetual Trophy with a win tomorrow afternoon at the Mall of Asia Arena.
Ironically, TNT – which took the Perpetual Trophy after three straight titles from 2011 to 2013 – is trying to deny San Miguel a place in history in a series that has become more of a psychological warfare than a physical attrition.
KaTropa coach Nash Racela offered no sequel to his postgame comments from Tuesday's 97-86 loss in Game 4 where he said that the Beermen were getting a “special treatment” over the calls made in that contest.
“Less is more, less talk is better,” said Racela, who opted to praise his team's fightback showing, particularly from Williams.
An hour earlier, Racela drew the ire of San Miguel sports director Alfrancis Chua, who at halftime went to the press room to express his dismay over Racela's accusations.
“When we lost two games in a row (Games 2 and 3), you didn't hear from us. Special treatment for what? Because we won?” Chua said. “We've been here for the longest time. Pag natalo kami, we don't say anything. Sana they mind their own team and we're going to mind our own team.”
Fajardo, who at one game was used as an example over the way officiating has been called, couldn't capitalize on TNT getting into early penalty, at one point missing three straight free throws while trying to narrow the gap. He finished with 16 points.
Officiating has been the subject of debates in both semifinal series, including tonight's crucial fifth game between Barangay Ginebra San Miguel and Star at the Mall of Asia Arena.
Hotshots players Allein Maliksi and Marc Pingris, coach Chito Victolero and team manager Alvin Patrimonio were fined an undisclosed amount yesterday by Commissioner Chito Narvasa for “comments detrimental to the PBA.”
Castro 18, De Ocampo 18, Williams 18, Pogoy 11, Reyes 9, Rosales 8, Fonacier 7, Seigle 4, Carey 2, Ganuelas-Rosser 2, Rosario 2, Tautuaa 2, Golla 0, Sumalinog 0. Santos 18, Cabagnot 17, Lassiter 16, Ross 15, Fajardo 13, Espinas 9, Reyes 4, Garcia 2, Agovida 0, Tubid 0. Quarters: 24-32; 50-40; 73-69; 101-94.