The San Miguel Beermen took a 3-2 lead in their best-of-seven championship series against TNT Tropang 5G in the Philippine Cup with a come-from-behind 96-82 victory in the pivotal Game 5 on Friday.
The Beermen saw themselves down early 7-23, in the opening quarter, as TNT hit their shots from beyond the arc.
San Miguel, however, kept their composure and reduced the lead to just one point at the half, 48-47.
In a huge turnaround, the Beermen shut down TNT’s vaunted offense for more than four minutes in the third quarter for a 54-48 advantage.
They increased the lead further to 77-59 with less than a minute left in the third quarter to take control of the game.
TNT tried to mount a rally in the final frame but the Beermen hit timely baskets to take the series lead heading into Game 6 on Sunday.
Rodney Brondial typified SMB’s grit and determination in the second half to finish with 17 points and 15 rebounds. He was slowed down by cramps late in the game but still hit a crucial three-pointer to help his team maintain the lead.
Brondial and Mo Tautuaa (11 points) also held the fort for a long stretch when June Mar Fajardo rested his knee after a fall midway in the third quarter.
After the game, Brondial said in an interview that they wanted to bounce back after losing by a big margin in Game 4 and their effort in the game showed this.
Kris Rosales a key contributor
Another key contributor for the Beermen was seldom-used Kris Rosales, who finished with 12 points in his first game in the finals after not seeing action as he is not in the regular rotation of coach Leo Austria.
Despite limited playing time, Rosales played a key role for the team, hitting timely baskets aside from playing tough defense against TNT’s guards.
He and Chris Ross alternated at the point guard spot in Game 5. With Ross not 100% healthy due to some injuries, Rosales is expected to get some playing time again in Game 6.
YOU MAY ALSO LIKE: NBA news: Jimmy Butler suffers season-ending ACL injury
TNT seeks to bounce back
With their backs against the wall, expect TNT to go all-out in their bid to even the series on Sunday and force a deciding Game 7.
The Tropang 5G actually played well in Game 5 and looked headed for another lopsided win after an early avalanche of points from their starters.
However, they struggled in the second half after San Miguel tightened its defensive rotation on the shooters and could not get much momentum to launch a counter-attack in the final period.
Still, TNT showed it has enough firepower to match up and as they showed in Game 4, the team is very much capable of coming back after a loss.
Calvin Oftana topscored for the team in Game 5 with 20 points while Jordan Heading added 13.
The two will be vital for the team anew as they seek to extend the championship series.
TNT sorely missed Roger Pogoy, who again injured his hamstring early in Game 4.
While the injury kept him from playing in Game 5 and most likely Game 6 as there is only a one-day break, Pogoy said he is eager to play if ever the pain subsides and his doctors give the green light.
READ NEXT: MMA news: ‘I’ll choke him out in the second round’ says Arman Tsarukyan on Justin Gaethje
Hazel Camba 
Jheruleene Anne Ramos 
Eugene Nicklaus S. Laqui