SMB a win away from denying TNT its Grand Slam hopes

By Leobert Julian A. de la Peña

The San Miguel Beermen is just a dub away from capturing the PBA Philippine Cup crown after frustrating the TNT Tropang 5G, 105-91, during their Game 4 grand finals clash on July 20, 2025, at the SM Mall of Asia Arena.

After a slow start in the opening quarter, the Beermen pulled away in the fourth and final frame, leaving TNT in the dust with a lopsided 41-24 scoring run to seal the deal.

The Tropang 5G was bound for a good bounce-back spot after immediately leading by 12 points in the first, courtesy of Brandon Ganuelas-Rosser’s aggressiveness in getting to the cup and Kelly Williams’ timely shooting.

Just when TNT thought that they could replicate their shooting spree in Game 1, the Beermen found their stride in the following quarter as the trio of Jericho Cruz, Don Trollano, and Jeron Teng helped them inch close and take their first lead of the ball game, 32-31.

From that point, Game 4 became a game of counter runs as San Miguel ignited another massive rally in the third to stretch their cushion to 12 points, 62-50.

The Tropang 5G wouldn’t be denied of their come-from-behind hopes as they managed to ice the wounds with a game-changing 20-7 avalanche to take a one-point lead in the fourth, 70-69.

Jordan Heading was huge for TNT during that stretch as the newly-acquired shooter knocked down much-needed treys that helped maintain their lead but another furious SMB scoring barrage changed the complexion of the ball game.

Firepower was indeed the difference maker in Game 4 as CJ Perez took matters into his own hands in the last seven minutes of the ball game that put SMB back in the driver’s seat by double digits.

TNT answered with some conversions from RR Pogoy and Calvin Oftana but closing the show for SMB was the quarter of June Mar Fajardo, Trollano, Perez, and Cruz.

Cruz held the fort for the Beermen as the energetic skipper erupted for 23 points while Perez chipped in 16 markers built from an efficient 6/11 shooting from the field.

Fajardo, who was fresh off winning his record-extending 12^th Best Player of the Conference (BPC) award, once again put up a double-double outing of 15 points and 12 rebounds.

On the other hand, the Tropang 5G missed another chance of a better closeout performance despite holding on to the lead twice in Game 4.

Will San Miguel end the Tropang 5G’s Grand Slam aspirations? Or will TNT show fight and carve out a miraculous comeback to stay alive in the series?