San Miguel gets back at TNT to tie series at 1-1

San Miguel Beermen’s Don Trollano during the PBA Philippine Cup Finals Game 2 against TNT Tropang 5G. –MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.net

San Miguel Beer didn’t let the frustration of losing the first game of the PBA Philippine Cup Finals on a technicality and bounced back with a 98-92 win over TNT to even the series at 1-1 on Wednesday at Smart Araneta Coliseum.

HIGHLIGHTS: PBA Philippine Cup Finals Game 2 – San Miguel vs TNT

Mo Tautuaa was among those who delivered–despite his dunk late in the opener being nullified due to basket interference– so were Chris Ross and Don Trollano in the fourth quarter, and the Beermen took Game 2 despite losing a 13-point lead.

Trollano topscored with 22 points, 12 in the payoff period, Tautuaa had 16 points and four rebounds, while Ross was placed in the starting lineup and posted seven points, seven rebounds and four steals.

San Miguel Beermen’s Jeron Teng during the PBA Philippine cup Finals Game 2 against TNT Tropang 5G. –MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.net

Also key was Jeron Teng, who was a spark plug off the bench with all of his 10 points in the second quarter that gave San Miguel a big lead while Jericho Cruz also provided some damage for six points, six rebounds and seven assists.

READ: PBA Finals: San Miguel won’t protest controversial call

Game 3 is set for Friday at the Big Dome as San Miguel hopes to ride on the victory and gain the driver’s seat for the first time in the championship.

Calvin Oftana scored 23 points, but went scoreless in the fourth even as Jordan Heading hit 15 for TNT, which could be in danger of being a man down after Poy Erram sustained an injury in the second half.

Heading’s three evened the count at 77-all after TNT fell behind 51-38 in the third, but San Miguel got baskets from Cruz and Trollano and plenty of misses from the Tropag 5G, including one from Brian Heruela, put the Beermen in safe distance.

June Mar Fajardo finished with 17 points and nine rebounds for the Beermen.