No love lost between TNT, San Miguel

Photo by Tristan Tamayo/INQUIRER.net

There was no love lost between rivals San Miguel Beer and TNT as they figured in a highly-physical, drama-filled duel made for the playoffs, if not in a finals setting.

At the center of it all was Beermen guard Chris Ross, who drew the ire of TNT’s Michael Craig Jr., Roger Pogoy and Ranidel de Ocampo throughout Wednesday night’s game.

The matchup was a rematch of last conference’s championship series won by San Miguel in six games and the two teams picked up where they left off.

“It’s the first time we play those guys in the last three weeks, last month or something. Obviously, it was for bigger stakes last month, but there were a lot of emotions in this game,” said Ross, who collected five points, eight rebounds and 10 assists to help San Miguel fend off TNT, 97-91.

Despite his dustups with Pogoy and Craig, Ross had nothing but praise for the two after the game.

As a veteran and many-time champion, Ross also offered advice for the 25-year-old Pogoy, who is only in his first year in the league.

“I told him that he’s a really good player, don’t get involved in anything else just play the game the right way,” Ross said of Pogoy. “You’re representing the country with Gilas, you’re there for a reason. He’s a very talented player so that’s what I told him and he’s young in the league and he’ll be in this league for a long time and you gonna get better.”

Meanwhile, Ross understood where Craig, who struggled offensively but still had a solid game with 16 points and 18 rebounds, was coming from being as competitive as him.

“He’s a good player, man. He’s a big boy, he’s a great passer, but I think the more he gets used to his team the more he gets better. He’s a competitor so I’m a competitor too.”