By REYNALD MAGALLON
San Miguel Beer would not be denied this time around.
Don Trollano and Chris Ross made sure of that as San Miguel scored a vengeful 98-92 victory over TNT to tie the series at 1-1 in Game 2 of the PBA Season 49 Philippine Cup Finals at the Smart Araneta Coliseum on Wednesday, July 16.
Ross clamped down on defense while Trollano took care of the offense as the Beermen unloaded a telling 12-3 run to create the much-needed separation and help San Miguel bounce back from its controversial Game 1 heartbreak.
Trollano fired 12 of his 22 points in the final frame, including seven during the pivotal rally that turned a once 77-all affair into a 89-80 advantage for the Beermen.
Ross was all over the floor with seven points, four rebounds and four assists all while orchestrating the offense and anchoring the team’s defense
June Mar Fajardo was a rebound shy of a double-double with 17 points and nine rebounds while his frontcourt partner Mo Tautuaa, who was at the center of the controversial dunk attempt in Game 1, finished with 16 points.
Jeron Teng added 10 off the bench while CJ Perez did not have to score big with eight points and nine rebounds to show.
Calvin Oftana face TNT with 23 points but RR Pogoy was held to just 6 points.
The scores:
SMB 98 – Trollano 22, Fajardo 17, Tautuaa 16, Teng 10, Perez 8, Ross 7, Cruz 6, Brondial 6, Tiongson 4, Lassiter 2.
TNT 92 – Oftana 23, Heading 15, Willams 11, Ganuelas-Rosser 10, Enciso 7, Erram 6, Pogoy 6, Khobuntin 6, Heruela 4, Aurin 4, Galinato 0, Varilla 0, Nieto 0.
Quarters: 23-19; 51-39; 75-74; 98-92.
