WITH the title series down to a best-of-three affair, San Miguel Beer knows a head start is needed if it even wants to ensure it could defend its PBA Philippine Cup crown.
Not to be outdone, TNT managed to force a 2-2 standoff in the Season 50 all-Filipino tournament championship series following a 110-87 lynching of the Beermen on Wednesday at the SM Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City.
As action shifts back to the Ynares Center in Antipolo City, the Beermen try to recover from that 23-point beating when they clash with the Tropang 5G at 7:30 p.m.
TNT drew first blood when it scored a 96-91 win in Game 1 but SMB retaliated by taking the next two games — 111-92 in Game 2 win and 95-89 in Game 3 — before wingman Calvin Oftana scattered 29 points on 5-of-8 shooting from three-point zone to spearhead the Tropang 5G’s massive victory last Wednesday.
Roger Pogoy, Oftana’s scoring partner, though will not be around in Game 5 after suffering a hamstring injury.
But Oftana knows they will have to step up and ensure they fight to the end.
“It’s so sad RR is out again, but then there are other guys who can play his position. So we will just stick to the plan,” said Oftana.
As far as TNT coach Chot Reyes is concerned, playing well on both ends of the floor will be critical.
“Anytime you come out with a victory like this, it's always a combination of both,” said Reyes following the Game 4 victory on Wednesday.
“But it’s very important for us to get our offense on track, because the way to beat a team like San Miguel is to make sure you’re scoring on them.”
But given San Miguel’s depth and immense talent, TNT will be bracing for an uphill battle on Friday.
June Mar Fajardo, who won his 13th Best Player of the Conference award prior to the start of Game 4, will continue to lead the Beermen.
CJ Perez will also have to step up his game following an anemic 11-point effort on a 4-of-15 shooting in Game 4.
Don Trollano, Moala Tautuaa, Jericho Cruz and Marcio Lassiter will also need to step up big time to provide the support behind Fajardo and Perez.
TNT, on the other hand, needs big games from Jordan Heading, Rey Nambatac, Brandon Ganuelas-Rosser, Kelly Williams, Poy Erram and Henry Galinato to match San Miguel's firepower.