Jayson Castro (No. 17) continues to be a big headache for the San Miguel defense, rescuing TNT in Game 4 to finish with 26 points off the bench. —PBA IMAGES
Determined not to fall into a deficit only a handful of teams have overcome, TNT responded with a stirring performance Sunday on a night that was supposed to have San Miguel Beer toasting its cornerstone.
Jayson Castro’s 26 points were among the key reasons why the Tropang Giga were able to beat the Beermen, 100-87, before more than 10,000 fans at Smart Araneta Coliseum that put the PBA Philippine Cup Finals back on even terms.
“It’s hard to bounce back from a 3-1 deficit, especially against a tough team like San Miguel,” Castro said in Filipino. “We gave ourselves a chance to win because the chances of getting the championship would be slim.”
Castro, who missed the potential winner in regulation before TNT fell short in Game 3, knew that he and the rest of the team had to play with a purpose, in a way rewarding coach Chot Reyes, who came back after Gilas Pilipinas duties.
“It’s very hard coaching two teams and the sacrifice he’s giving for Gilas and TNT,” said assistant coach Sandy Arespacochaga. “We’re very happy we won the game, not just for the series but also for him.”
A strong first half and resolute effort in the third despite seeing San Miguel take the lead twice enabled TNT to reduce the championship series to a best-of-three.
RR Pogoy, the team’s leading scorer in the Finals, delivered again with 21 points, Mikey Williams was able to make shots at the start and put up 11 of his 15 in the first half while Kelly Williams and Poy Erram were key on both ends that spoiled the coronation of San Miguel superstar June Mar Fajardo as the Best Player of the Conference.
What’s more impressive was TNT’s handling of the basketball, committing just three turnovers which set a league record for the least boo-boos in a game.
It was a striking difference from Game 3, where the Tropang Giga lost possession 24 times.
“We’re quite happy with the way the players responded and took care of the ball,” said Arespacochaga. “That’s not just on one person, but everybody across the board. Everybody stepped up in that regard.”
Fajardo wound up with 20 points and 19 rebounds but the Beermen couldn’t put a stranglehold on the Finals, even after coming back from a 34-16 deficit in the second to take the lead in the third. INQ