By REYNALD MAGALLON
The stage is set for the titanic collision between two of the most storied franchises in the PBA.
For the first time in more than a decade, TNT and San Miguel Beer will figure in a best-of-seven title series in the Philippine Cup, something avid fans have been waiting to materialize after several near misses between two of the biggest conglomerates in the league.
Even both teams have expressed excitement over their looming marquee showdown during the press conference at the Novotel Manila in Araneta City in Cubao Friday.
The Beermen, although looking entirely different from its dominant ‘death five’ lineup that given them five-straight all-Filipino conference titles, will still have the ever-imposing six-time MVP June Mar Fajardo in tow along with an array of formidable scorers led by Fajardo’s running mate in the Best Player of the Conference race CJ Perez, Mo Tautuaa, Marcio Lassiter, Chris Ross and new weapons Rodney Brondial, and Jericho Cruz.
Back in the PH Cup finals for the first time in three years, Fajardo and company are ready to reclaim the most prestigious trophy in the league.
“Sobrang saya ko na nasa finals uli kami, ilang taon kami di kami nakaabot sa finals. Alam namin na di ganun kadali makuha, ‘yung championship pero andito kami, so susundin namin yung game plan ni coach, may chance kami na manalo,” said the 6-foot-10 behemoth.
The Tropang Giga, the defending champions of the crown jewel of the PBA season, are unperturbed.
For one, they have weapons as deadly or perhaps more formidable than that of the Beermen.
Who can stop the wily guard Mikey Willians?
Certainly, it would take lots of efforts and sacrifices before a team can totally stop the sweet-shooting Fil-Am guard.
And remember TNT is not just about Williams.
The Tropang Giga also boast of a resurgent Jayson Castro, RR Pogoy, Troy Rosario and Poi Erram.
“Definitely excited to get it started, I know it’s gonna be a tough series,” said Williams.
Castro agreed.
“Against San Miguel, napakalakas na team kailangan namin mag laro as a team for us magka chance sa series na ito at the same time siguro kung paano namin sila mai-stop,” echoed Castro
Another interesting storyline is the chess match between the two of the winningest tacticians in the conference with both TNT head coach Chot Reyes and SMB mentor Leo Austria guiding their respective teams in winning Perpetual trophies sometime in the past.
Reyes won three straight titles in the PH Cup from 2010 to 2013, the first of which came at the expense of an SMB team, and the last time they faced in the PH Cup. The Beermen was then under coach Ato Agustin and was still then led by Arwind Santos and Jay Washington, winning the series, 4-2.
Austria, though, did it better winning five-straight from 2014 to 2019 seasons and had been undefeated every time he set foot in the Philippine Cup finals.
In their most recent playoff matchup,Reyes had Austria’s number when TNT booted out SMB in the semifinals last season, 4-2. The two veteran tacticians, however, both agreed that the series will be a tight battle between two equally talented teams. In the eliminations of this conference, SMB beat TNT, 115-99.
“Our only chance to be able to compete is for us to consistently play our best. Hopefully we can have better preparation and we hopefully find ways to match the talent of the San Miguel team,” said Reyes.
“Just to be here for us is very special but it’s really been an honor for us, for the players as well so we look forward to going to battle against them,” he added.
“Pipilitin naman but napakahirap alam naman natin na yung death five namin kulang na but we’re trying our best to be cohesive and maraming bagong players so they are still learning especially playing (in) the championship (series),” said Austria.
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