TNT escapes San Miguel in PH Cup semis series opener

The TNT Tropang Giga made a narrow escape, 89-88, to take Game 1 of their best-of-seven semifinals series against the San Miguel Beermen on Sunday in the 2021 PBA Philippine Cup in Pampanga.

TNT led by double figures in the fourth quarter before allowing San Miguel to get to within one point in the final seconds. Marcio Lassiter had a chance to notch the win for the Beermen but failed to do so, giving TNT a 1-0 advantage  in the best-of-seven series.

RR Pogoy topped TNT in scoring with 23 points, while Jayson Castro posted 16 points, six rebounds, and six assists. Poy Erram and Troy Rosario also registered double-digits with 15 and 14 points respectively.

The Tropang Giga pulled away in the third period after a 29-point performance against SMB's 19, to close the quarter at 71-60. They led by as many as 12 points in the fourth quarter before SMB batlled back, scoring eight unanswered to get back in it, 81-79.

Baskets from Pogoy and Erram put TNT ahead, 89-84, with 1:34 left to play.

But a CJ Perez layup at the 0:36 mark of the final period cut the Beermen's deficit to a single point, 89-88, and gave them the opportunity to steal the game at the end.

Perez led the Beermen with 23 points while June Mar Fajardo had a double-double with 13 points and 11 boards.

Earlier, the Magnolia Hotshots Pambansang Manok drew first blood against the Meralco Bolts.

Game 2 of the two semis matchups is expected to be played on Wednesday.

The scores:

TNT 89 – Pogoy 23, Castro 16, Erram 15, Rosario 14, M.Williams 7, Montalbo 5, Khobuntin 4, Marcelo 3, Reyes 2, Heruela 0.

San Miguel 88 – Perez 23, Fajardo 13, Santos 12, Lassiter 10, Cabagnot 8, Ross 8, Romeo 8, Tautuaa 6, Gamalinda 0.

Quarterscores: 19-17, 42-41, 71-60, 89-88.

—JMB, GMA News