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Game 7 for SMB-Ginebra series, TNT keeps grand slam bid alive
It will be the best two words in sports for the San Miguel Beermen and Barangay Ginebra San Miguel series, while TNT Tropang 5G kept their grand slam hopes alive after dismantling the Rain or Shine Elasto Painters in six games on Sunday, July 6, at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
Jordan Heading exploded for 29 points, to go along with three rebounds, four assists, and two steals to lead TNT in securing the pivotal win that put them back in the PBA Finals for the third straight conference this season and gave them a chance to claim the first-ever grand slam in franchise history.
Brandon Ganuelas-Rosser added 17 markers, five boards, two dimes, and three rejections to help the Tropang 5G clinch the ticket to the championship round.
Three more TNT players poured in double digits in the team’s victory. Glenn Khobuntin finished with a double-double of 16 points and 12 rebounds, while Kim Aurin and Calvin Oftana ended with 13 and 12, respectively.
"All we wanted was to give ourselves a chance. Our objective after a 0-3 start was just to get to the playoffs. We were not even thinking of getting a twice-to-beat advantage getting to the playoffs, and we figured whoever it is we need to beat—and if we need to beat them twice—then so be it," said TNT head coach Chot Reyes of their PBA Season 49 Philippine Cup journey.
"Number two, we came together... and that's what happened. Everyone chipped in, stepped up. Unfortunately, we got all those injuries, but it is what it is. But as you saw today, these guys—they don't know the meaning of quit," he added.
Photo Courtesy: PBA
"All we wanted was to give ourselves a chance. Our objective after a 0-3 start was just to get to the playoffs. We were not even thinking of getting a twice-to-beat advantage getting to the playoffs, and we figured whoever it is we need to beat—and if we need to beat them twice—then so be it," said TNT head coach Chot Reyes of their PBA Season 49 Philippine Cup journey.
On the other side, Caelan Tiongson tried to carry the Elasto Painters with his game-high 30 points, to go along with six rebounds and an assist. Andrei Caracut and Adrian Nocum added 15 and 11 markers, respectively, to help the squad put up a good fight against TNT, who have been a thorn in their path over the past three conferences.
It was a close battle from the beginning until Heading and Ganuelas-Rosser exploded in their 14-2 run after the last deadlock at 80-all in the final frame.
TNT now awaits the winner of the San Miguel–Ginebra series, who will fight for the other Finals spot in Game 7 of their series on Wednesday, July 9, at the Big Dome.
LA Tenorio saves the day for Ginebra
Veteran Ginebra guard LA Tenorio once again showed poise in the final seconds of their Game 6 battle as he nailed a game-winning triple to seal the slim 88-87 triumph.
Tenorio missed just one shot from the two-point area, while sinking all his triples, including the game-winner. He also finished with a +11 in just nine minutes and 40 seconds of playing time.
With 3.1 seconds left to salvage the game, the Beermen went to CJ Perez, but a missed four-point try sealed SMB's doom, preserving the Ginebra steal and Tenorio's heroics.
"Miracles do happen. We're grasping for straws all game long trying to find a way to defend June Mar Fajardo with Japeth (Aguilar) cramping most of the game. We turned to our veteran, our leader, and he made big plays down the stretch, something he has done so many times in the past," said Ginebra head coach Tim Cone.
"More than the big shot, he kept us in the game," Cone also said of the Tenorio juggernaut keeping the Kings in the hunt for another final stint in PBA Season 49.
"Yes, miracles do happen and not just in basketball and in this game but in my personal life," said Tenorio, a cancer survivor.
Scottie Thompson also played well in the hard-fought battle, finishing with a double-double of 17 points and 16 rebounds, on top of eight assists and one steal.
Japeth Aguilar also provided what was needed of him as he ended with 16 markers, four boards, and a block, while RJ Abarrientos, Stephen Holt, and Troy Rosario added 12 apiece.
San Miguel took the first two quarters and ended the half with a nine-point advantage, 54-45, but the Gin Kings once again showed their never-say-die attitude in the second half, outscoring SMB 43-33 to pull off the slim victory.
June Mar Fajardo led the Beermen with another double-double of 21 points and 16 rebounds, on top of five assists and a block, while CJ Perez added 15 markers, two boards, four dimes, one steal, and a block.
Don Trollano and Rodney Brondial also helped in the scoring department, finishing with 13 and 12 points, respectively.
Who will take Game 7? Will it be a trilogy between Ginebra and TNT, or will the powerhouse SMB advance to the Finals to stop Tropang 5G’s grand slam bid?
