SMB rediscovers form, crushes TNT to even semis

By Leobert Julian A. de la Peña

The San Miguel Beermen just unleashed its dominant form and overwhelmed the TNT Tropang Giga, 116-90, to even the PBA Philippine Cup semifinals series at 2-2.

There was nothing that the Tropang Giga could do from the get-go as the Beermen executed their gameplan to perfection.

Every time Chris Ross or Alex Cabagnot would get the basketball, their offense would then revolve around the post as they fed June Mar Fajardo and Moala Tautuaa who fished fouls among TNT’s big men.

To make matters worse, Arwind Santos and Marcio Lassiter also came alive and had their best game of the series (so far) as they torched the TNT defense with their efficient shooting from the three-point area.

TNT attempted to strike back in the third quarter when Jayson Castro got hot but the staggering offense of SMB allowed them to maintain their 20-point lead.

Head coach Chot Reyes conceded defeat in the last quarter as he decided to rest his star players in preparation for Game 5.

Seven players for the Beermen scored in double-figures resulting in their best scoring output this post-season. Tautuaa led the way with 25, Terrence Romeo with 16, Lassiter with 13, Fajardo with 13, Cabagnot with 12, Santos with 11, and CJ Perez with 10.

Meanwhile, Roger Pogoy of the Tropang Giga, who carried his team with his offensive brilliance in the last three games, only scored two points in Game 4 and will have the chance to bounce back in Game 5.