The battle for the Philippine Cup championship resumes Friday night at the Ynares Center in Antipolo, with San Miguel Beermen facing TNT in a crucial Game 2.
Despite securing a 96-91 victory in the opener, TNT coach Chot Reyes isn’t celebrating. He immediately pinpointed a critical flaw: 19 turnovers that gifted San Miguel 25 additional points, a margin for error he knows they can’t afford.
Reyes emphasized the need for drastic improvement, stating that continued carelessness will be unsustainable against a team as formidable as San Miguel. The focus now is on protecting the ball and capitalizing on defensive stops with smart offensive possessions.
TNT initially dominated, building a commanding 19-point lead fueled by tenacious defense and relentless hustle, spearheaded by veteran Kelly Williams. They stifled San Miguel’s half-court offense, forcing errors that translated into easy points.
However, San Miguel roared back in the second half, threatening to steal the game before Williams and his teammates ultimately secured the win with clutch plays down the stretch. The comeback highlighted San Miguel’s resilience and determination.
Williams, a key figure in containing June Mar Fajardo and the San Miguel offense, contributed 15 points, 9 rebounds, and 3 assists. He stressed the importance of maintaining the same energy and unity to withstand San Miguel’s inevitable adjustments.
Despite the Game 1 loss, San Miguel remains confident. Mo Tautuaa, who tallied 22 points and ignited their third-quarter surge with 13 markers, affirmed the team’s unwavering spirit and readiness for a fierce response.
San Miguel found encouragement in their strong finish, outscoring TNT 55-43 in the second half after being thoroughly outplayed in the first 24 minutes (36-53). This late surge demonstrated their ability to adapt and compete even when facing adversity.
The 7:30 p.m. matchup promises a compelling clash of strategies and wills, as both teams dissect the lessons of Game 1 and prepare for a pivotal battle in this race-to-four championship series.
