TNT overcomes turnover woes, fends off SMB to take 1–0 lead

“We keep giving the ball to the other team.”

Those were TNT Tropang 5G coach Chot Reyes’ words in a postgame presser after TNT gave up 25 points off 19 turnovers in a 96–91 escape over the San Miguel Beermen in Game 1 of the PBA 50 Philippine Cup finals at the Ynares Center, Jan. 21.

After leading 90–83 with a minute and 50 seconds left in the fourth frame, TNT found themselves only up by one 90 seconds later following a Don Trollano four-pointer and two push shots by Jericho Cruz grabbed from a pair of turnovers by Calvin Oftana and Rey Nambatac.

However, four free throws from midyear acquisition Jordan Heading staved off the Beermen’s resurgence as Trollano’s three-point heave in the dying seconds rimmed out.

Kelly Williams paced the Tropang 5G with 15 points, nine rebounds, and three assists, while Heading and Oftana each tallied 13 points.  

Henry Galinato Jr. added 12 points off the bench on 6–7 from the field as he made his first five shots.

On the other hand, for San Miguel, June Mar Fajardo posted 24 points and 17 boards for his 16th double-double this conference, fellow big Mo Tautuaa added 22 points, and CJ Perez scored 16 and dished out six assists, after coming off his 41-point explosion in the closeout.

Coach Reyes explained that his team nearly lost because of the turnovers, stressing that it needs to be solved, with TNT averaging only 12.8 giveaways per game in their semifinal series versus Meralco.

“In the huddle, I said, ‘you know we defend well. They’re not scoring on the half-court set, they’re just scoring off our turnovers,’” Reyes said.

Meanwhile, the 43-year-old Williams shared that TNT needed to fix its mistakes in the days leading up to Game 2.

“It’s just one game, and that’s what we’re going to do for the rest of the series. Just take it one game at a time,” the 2008 MVP expressed.

Williams and Galinato Jr. anchored the Tropang 5G offense to lead as high as 19 in the first half and a 53–36 advantage at intermission.

However, Tautuaa uncorked a 13-point eruption in the third canto to drag the Beermen back to contention when TNT sent more personnel to defend Fajardo.

Reyes’ defense did its part, limiting San Miguel to only 38.9% from the field, yet the Tropa’s repeated turnovers almost undid the already undermanned telecommunications franchise, which was missing key forward RR Pogoy to a hamstring injury suffered in the previous series.

The Tropang 5G will aim to cut its turnovers to snare a 2–0 lead in the best-of-seven final in a bid to hoist its sixth PH Cup trophy.

On the other hand, the Beermen seeks more production from its bench unit, outscored 27–48 this game, to equal the series and make the job for an 11th franchise PH Cup title easier on Jan. 23, 7:30 p.m. at the same venue.

With reports from PBA.ph