By REYNALD MAGALLON
Game Wednesday
(Ynares Center Antipolo)
7:30 p.m. — San Miguel vs TNT
All conference long, San Miguel Beer and TNT stood almost above the rest. Now, it all boils down to one series to determine who’s the fittest and toughest of them all.
It’s a rematch of the last season’s all-Filipino Finals – one seeking revenge, the other raring to assert mastery – as the Beermen and the Tropang 5G raise the curtain to a highly anticipated showdown for the PBA Season 50 crown jewel in Game 1 at the Ynares Center in Antipolo on Wednesday, Jan. 21.
Both very much aware of the importance of drawing first blood and setting the tone to the race-to-four affair, SMB and TNT are ready to let it all out in the first game of the series that tips-off at 7:30 p.m.
TNT head coach Chot Reyes, though, with a souped up and relatively healthy lineup as compared to the ones he had in their last meeting, still sees it as a daunting task to topple San Miguel.
“I’m really looking forward to the chance to play that team na mas kumpleto (kami). Still not 100 percent, and maski naman 100 percent na complete kami hindi naman guaranteed yun,” said Reyes during the formal presser of the Finals at Novotel Manila presented by ArenaPlus on Monday, Jan. 19
“But at least we’re giving ourselves a better chance now,” he added.
SMB dominated TNT in their last meeting, only needing six games to claim the Jun Bernardino trophy.
But with Rey Nambatac and Jordan Heading fully healthy, along with the addition of Jio Jalalon and Kevin Ferrer to provide bench support to Calvin Oftana, Brandon Ganuelas-Rosser and Kelly Williams, the Tropang 5G is hoping to flip the script this time around.
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Of course, easier said than done, however, especially with SMB continuing to lord it over in the Philippine Cup, having won seven titles through the last decade — two even came at the expense of TNT, the last even foiled the Tropang 5G’s attempt at winning a Grand Slam.
And a big part of that is June Mar Fajardo, who will be the biggest puzzle for TNT to solve in the series. But the Beermen isn’t all about the nine-time Most Valuable Player anymore.
CJ Perez has been leading the team in scoring while SMB also boasts a deep, potent crew in Chris Ross, Marcio Lassiter, Don Trollano, Jericho Cruz and Mo Tautuaa.
But despite being the favorites in the title series, SMB head coach Leo Austria, isn’t expecting an easy battle against TNT.
“It’s not that easy,” stressed Austria. “Alam naman natin na ang katunggali natin ay determined to win a championship.”
