TNT routs San Miguel in Game 7, sets up PBA Finals clash vs Magnolia

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MANILA, Philippines—TNT manhandled San Miguel, 97-79, in an anticlimactic Game 7 en route to its second consecutive finals appearance in the PBA Philippine Cup Sunday at DHVSU Gym in Bacolor, Pampanga.

The Tropang Giga, who will face the Magnolia Hotshots in this year’s championship round, are looking to win their first title in six years and a runner-up finish in last year’s all-Filipino Conference.

After trailing 23-15 at the end of the first quarter, the Tropang Giga opened the floodgates in the second more than doubling what San Miguel did offensively, 30-13, and took a 45-36 lead heading into the break.

Troy Rosario put on an aerial assault as he jammed home two dunks in TNT’s 7-0 run with his second one giving his team an 84-67 lead with 5:16 to play.

Poy Erram and Roger Pogoy exchanged threes late in the game to give the Tropang Giga a 95-71 lead with 2:38 remaining in the game.

“Our frame of mind coming into this game was the most important thing. I told the players, let’s not dread going into Game 7, and instead look forward to be in this position,” said TNT head coach Chot Reyes.

“When we shifted that thinking and the players bought into it and believed that, that’s what happened, they came in with great resolve, they made the effort, the shots, the defensive stops, we’re just fortunate to be in the finals.”

Pogoy led TNT with 27 points while Mikey Williams filled the box score with 20 points, eight rebounds, and six assists.

Rosario added a 12-point, 12-rebound double-double while Kelly Williams also had a similar line of 11 points and 10 boards for the Tropang Giga.

June Mar Fajardo had a team-high 22 points with 16 rebounds and two blocks to lead the Beermen.