PBA FINALS: TNT noses out SMB in controversial Game 1

Sports

THE TNT Tropang 5G squandered a 24-point lead but, with the help of a controversial video review, still found a way to escape with a 99-96 win over the San Miguel Beermen in Game 1 of the 49th PBA Philippine Cup Finals on Sunday night, July 13, at the Araneta Coliseum.

With the win, the Tropa moved just three wins away from completing a Grand Slam, drawing first blood in the best-of-seven series that took off to a controversial start.

The hard-fought match became controversial when a basket made by San Miguel big man Mo Tautuaa was waived off with only 6.4 seconds left.

The Beermen had gone up, 98-97, after Tautuaa scored with 56 seconds left. In the go-ahead basket, Tautuaa went for a dunk with the ball bouncing high before it went in. Two plays passed before the play was reviewed as Chris Ross forced Jordan Heading into a jump ball with 6.4 seconds left.

Following a lengthy review, game officials waived off Tautuaa’s basket, saying the big man committed a goal interference after he hanged on to the rim after the dunk attempt.

TNT won the tip-off and San Miguel was forced to give up a foul as it suddenly found itself down by a point. Calvin Oftana made it a three-point game after sinking two free throws and the Beermen couldn’t force overtime after CJ Perez misfired a three-pointer as time ran out.

As the final buzzer sounded, San Miguel players and officials were seen confronting game officials, who were heavily booed as they exited the court.

Roger Pogoy returned from injury and led the Tropa with 23 points. Jordan Heading added 19 points, 17 of them he made in the first half, while Calvin Oftana and Brandon Ganuelas-Rosser added 13 markers each.

June Mar Fajardo paced the Beermen with 26 points and Perex put in 16.

THE SCORES:

TNT (99) - Pogoy 23, Heading 19, Oftana 13, Ganuelas-Rosser 13, Williams 9, Erram 9, Enciso 6, Khobuntin 5, Heruela 2, Aurin 0.

SAN MIGUEL BEER (96) - Fajardo 26, Perez 19, Trollano 13, Tautuaa 10, Cruc 8, Ross 7, Lassiter 7, Tiongson 4, Brondial 2, Teng 0, Rosales 0. QUARTERSCORES: 28-22, 61-41, 85-66, 99-96.(CCM)