- The PBA Philippine Cup Finals opens with TNT Tropang 5G looking to get a headstart in their Grand Slam bid and San Miguel Beermen shooting for an early lead in their search for return to the throne.
July 13, Sunday – Smart Araneta Coliseum
- 7:30pm – TNT Tropang 5G vs San Miguel Beermen
Coach Chot Reyes offered to provide facts rather than clap back at those doubting TNT’s capability of winning another PBA title—the third this season to complete a Grand Slam—without Rondae Hollis-Jefferson.
“I think I’m tied with [San Miguel Beer coach Leo Austria] for the most number of all-Filipino championships among active coaches, right?” Reyes, who has won the Philippine Cup six times, asked. “That answers your question.”
The mercurial coach simply gave his take, as critics have been quick to say that the Tropang 5G’s previous titles were due solely through the skills and talents of Hollis-Jefferson.
Roger Pogoy during Game 6 of the PBA Philippine Cup semifinals against Rain or Shine. – MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.net
The status of TNT’s RR Pogoy for the opener of the PBA Philippine Cup Finals against San Miguel Beer is still a question mark, with the prolific forward opting to play it coy when asked of the progress of his recovery from a hamstring injury.
“We will know tomorrow (Saturday) if I can play on Sunday,” Pogoy said during the pre-Finals press conference held at Chardonnay Events Hall in Pasig City.
Pogoy has been sidelined since Game 2 of the semifinal series with Rain or Shine after aggravating the injury, and TNT opted to take things on a day-to-day basis.
While San Miguel Beer was in a tough process of finishing off Barangay Ginebra at Smart Araneta Coliseum on Wednesday night, the whole TNT squad turned the boardroom of the PLDT offices in Makati City into a proverbial situation room.
That was where the Tropang 5G not only met with their big bosses for a pre-Finals dinner, they also used the gathering to watch the Game 7 semis decider before making initial plots for the upcoming PBA Philippine Cup championship series against the Beermen.
“We didn’t want to end the night or go our separate ways without knowing who our opponent is,” said coach Chot Reyes, who has this chance to complete a Grand Slam 14 seasons from his last shot—and against the same franchise. “We made [the night hitting] two birds with one stone.”
TNT guard Jordan Heading hopes to keep up his fine play in the PBA Philippine Cup Finals.–MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.net
MANILA, Philippines—Jordan Heading has some huge shoes to fill for TNT in the upcoming PBA Finals.
The Tropang 5G will enter their third straight Finals appearance with different elements from their previous trips to the league’s grandest stage.
TNT will have to make do without two of its previous Finals MVPs in Jayson Castro and Rey Nambatac.
San Miguel Beer’s Jericho Cruz and Don Trollano celebrate during the PBA Philippine Cup semifinals against Ginebra.–MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.net
MANILA, Philippines–San Miguel Beer’s “Adamson Boys” will look to win another PBA championship at the expense of Grand Slam-seeking TNT, this time with old mentor Leo Austria calling the shots.
Jericho Cruz, Don Trollano and Rodney Brondial are seen as crucial pieces in the Beermen’s quest to wrest back dominance of the all-Filipino tournament, especially after they play crucial roles in the Game 7 semifinal decider against crowd favorite Barangay Ginebra.
“I’m so happy because back in our college days, we couldn’t compete for a Final Four spot,” Trollano said in Filipino. “Fast forward here in the professional ranks, the highest level you can play in the Philippines, and we’re competing for a championship, so it’s a great honor for me and for us.”
TNT center Poy Erram during the PBA Philippine Cup semifinals against Rain or Shine.–MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.net
MANILA, Philippines—Poy Erram has shown some notable changes in his character inside the court.
Little do onlookers know, the TNT big man has also undergone an immense change outside of basketball.
Before the Tropang 5G’s best-of-seven affair with San Miguel Beer in the PBA Finals begins this Sunday, Erram said he not only improved his mental fortitude but also found great resolve in the spiritual aspect of his life.
San Miguel Beermen and TNT Tropang 5G during the PBA Philippine Cup Finals press conference. –PBA IMAGES
MANILA, Philippines—There’s no doubt in San Miguel Beer coach Leo Austria’s mind that they have a daunting task ahead in the PBA Philippine Finals, even with a shorthanded TNT squad standing in the way.
During the Finals press conference in Pasig on Friday, Austria gave credit to the Tropang Giga before their best-of-seven clash for the all-Filipino crown.
“We know everybody’s thinking that San Miguel is really a mighty team. I’ve heard that always among the commentators but the other team is equally talented,” said Austria.
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