Beermen trounce Tropang 5G via Brondial heroics, move closer to title repeat

San Miguel Beermen moved a step closer to another PBA title as Rodney Brondial came through in the stretch to seal a 96–82 win over Talk N Text Tropang 5G, clinching a 3–2 series lead in the PBA 50 Philippine Cup at the Ynares Center, Antipolo, Jan. 30.

Brondial finished with a conference-best double-double of 17 points, 15 rebounds, and two blocks in 34 minutes of action.

“Gusto lang talaga namin manalo dahil mahirap ma-down 2–3,” Brondial said after an 87-110 loss in Game 4.

“Naging motivation yung pagkatalo namin last time, tambak at gusto namin bumawi,” he added.

The Beermen shrugged off Tropang 5G’s early surge, trimming a 23–7 deficit to 48–47 by halftime behind a 12–0 run.

The reigning champs took full control in the third quarter with a 30–13 run as Brondial and June Mar Fajardo anchored SMB’s offense to stretch the lead to 77–61.

Brondial buried TNT’s hope to claim the series lead as he fired a dagger three to put Beermen in a 90–76 deficit in the last 4:19 of the game.

Despite dealing with cramps in the third quarter, Fajardo still unleashed a solid double figures as he dropped 14 points, and 11 rebounds while Don Trollano added 12 points with Moala Tautuaa and Marcio Lassiter had 11 points apiece.

Meanwhile, Calvin Oftana contributed 20 points and nine rebounds for Tropang 5G while Jordan Heading scored 13, but TNT missed the presence of RR Pogoy who sat out due to a hamstring injury.

San Miguel will look to take the championship in Game 6, while Tropang 5G will aim to stay alive in the do-or-die series on February 1 in SM Mall of Asia Arena.

With reports from PBA.ph