SMB captures PBA PHL Cup, denies TNT of Grand Slam feat

By Leobert Julian A. de la Peña

The San Miguel Beermen are once again kings of the PBA Philippine Cup Conference after thwarting the TNT Tropang 5G in Game 6, 107-96, during their championship series on July 25, 2025, at the Philsports Arena.

After giving away Game 5 which helped the Tropang 5G live another day, the Beermen made sure this time that the balloons on standby would be poured in their favor.

With the series-clinching win, the Beermen denied TNT a rare Grand Slam achievement, depriving them of a chance to join an exclusive PBA club that has held the golden trophy for three consecutive conferences.

It was still anybody’s ball game in the first half as both franchises traded runs, with TNT first occupying the driver’s seat with a narrow six-point lead.

The Beermen countered back by schooling the depleted Tropang 5G in the paint with most of their baskets generated from the pick-and-roll and isolation post-up plays from June Mar Fajardo.

San Miguel sustained its firepower to have a four-point lead, but TNT’s timely three-point shooting from Almond Vosotros and RR Pogoy provided the much-needed spark in the final five minutes of the second frame.

However, the Beermen dropped the early hammer in the third quarter when they wrapped up the frame with a momentum-boosting 34-20 scoring edge, courtesy of a balanced attack from Jericho Cruz, CJ Perez, Chris Ross, Moala Tautuaa, and Fajardo.

Among the giants, it was Cruz who stood out the most and sparked a massive 22-8 run with a personal 8-0 avalanche from back-to-back three-pointers and a layup in just three minutes of action.

Aside from his offensive prowess, Cruz also provided the intangibles, locking up the wings with his peskiness while diving for the loose balls to help the Beermen win most of the 50-50 battles.

SMB’s two-way efficient outing steered them to their largest lead of the ball game at 20 points, 82-62, sucking the life out of the Tropang 5G who went deflated entering the fourth and final period of the championship game.

Despite an early three-point party from TNT’s Jordan Heading, the Tropang 5G still failed to trim their deficit to just a single digit and just couldn’t match the firepower of the well-oiled Beermen artillery.

Perez spearheaded SMB’s title hopes with a 24-point performance alongside six assists and three rebounds, while Fajardo nearly capped off the win with a perfect shooting after going for 11/12 from the field to match his teammate’s offensive numbers.

Cruz, who ended Game 6 with 13 markers and six dimes, was rewarded as this conference’s Finals Most Valuable Player (MVP).

After struggling to find the mark in the first two games, Cruz rediscovered his shooting stroke in Game 3, en route to a consistent outing until Game 6 that was highlighted by a series of ridiculous shot-making and slashing ability.

On the other hand, the Tropang 5G will aim for a fresh start in the next conference after failing in their Grand Slam bid. Their top priority in the off-season will be their players’ health, as they are still banged up with the absence of Jayson Castro, Poy Erram, and Rey Nambatac.