San Miguel, TNT Score Big Wins in PBA Philippine Cup

San Miguel Beer returned to the win column with a dominant 111-92 victory over the Phoenix Fuel Masters on Sunday in the 2024–2025 PBA Philippine Cup at Ninoy Aquino Stadium in Manila.

After a close first quarter that ended 30-29, San Miguel pulled away in the second by outscoring Phoenix 34-21 for a 64-50 halftime lead.

The Beermen never looked back, building their largest advantage at 89-65 early in the fourth quarter after Don Trollano hit two free throws.

San Miguel maintained control until the final buzzer, bouncing back from their May 4 loss to TNT and improving to 4-2 in the conference.

CJ Perez led the Beermen with 26 points, while Trollano added 21 points in a strong supporting role.

Six-time MVP June Mar Fajardo recorded a double-double with 20 points and 12 rebounds, while Marcio Lassiter chipped in 11.

Kai Ballungay paced Phoenix with 23 points, while Ken Tuffin and Jason Perkins contributed 16 and 15 points, respectively.

In the second game, TNT stretched its winning streak to three with a 101-84 victory over the Meralco Bolts.

The Tropang Giga improved to 3-3 after starting the tournament with three straight losses.

Roger Pogoy exploded for 34 points on 12-of-18 shooting, including a pair of clutch triples in the fourth quarter.

Calvin Oftana supported the charge with 28 points and five rebounds in another efficient showing.

Meralco trailed by just three, 72-69, entering the final period, but TNT responded with a 10-0 run highlighted by Pogoy’s back-to-back three-pointers.

The Bolts were unable to recover as TNT’s lead ballooned to double digits with less than two minutes remaining.

A Pogoy four-point play sealed the win and gave TNT a decisive boost in the standings.

“I thought in the third quarter Meralco made some great halftime adjustments to counter our defense,” said TNT head coach Chot Reyes.

“So we had to just talk and make a counter adjustment. Fortunately, it worked,” Reyes added.

He credited their fourth-quarter defense for limiting Chris Newsome, Bong Quinto, and Chris Banchero down the stretch.

“As long as we defend well, our offense pretty much follows and takes care of itself,” Reyes said.

Meralco managed only 12 points in the final quarter as the defending all-Filipino champions dropped to 3-4.

Cliff Hodge led the Bolts with 23 points, while Newsome had 18 on 5-of-9 shooting.