TNT forward Kelly Williams attacks the paint past the defense of San Miguel Beer center June Mar Fajardo in Game 5 of the PBA Philippine Cup Finals at Smart Araneta Coliseum. PBA IMAGES
MANILA, Philippines-TNT overcame the loss of Jayson Castro led by an inspiring performance from Kelly Williams and defeated San Miguel Beer, 102-93, on Wednesday to move one win from capturing the 2022 PBA Philippine Cup crown at Smart Araneta Coliseum.
Tasked mainly to guard June Mar Fajardo since the start of the series, Williams did more than just that and produced 21 points, nine rebounds, three assists and two steals as the Tropang Giga took a 3-2 lead in the best-of-seven series.
Mikey Williams, Poy Erram and RR Pogoy also delivered after TNT saw its leader Castro go down in the third quarter when he rolled his ankle after stepping on the foot of Marcio Lassiter.
But that didn’t dampen the Tropang Giga’s resolve as they are now on the doorstep of repeating as champions of the All-Filipino tournament.
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Jayson Castro, center, in pain on the TNT bench after hurting his ankle in the third quarter of Game 5 of the 2022 PBA Philippine Cup Finals at Smart Araneta Coliseum. PBA IMAGES
The Tropang Giga can finish it off on Friday at the same venue.
Mikey Williams put up 23 points, Erram had 17 points and seven rebounds while Pogoy added 14 for TNT.
Coach Chot Reyes also praised Kib Montalbo and Matt Ganuelas-Rosser for the quality minutes they put up, particularly in the decisive third.
Three straight triples courtesy of the two Williamses and Montalbo coupled with a Ganuelas-Rosser basket off a foul gave TNT an 84-75 lead at the end of the third.
Fajardo finished with 20 points and 16 rebounds but San Miguel will now have to win back-to-back games in order to claim its first Philippine Cup title since 2019.
The scores:
TNT 102 — Williams M. 23, Williams K. 21, Erram 17, Pogoy 14, Castro 8, Rosario 6, Khobuntin 4, Marcelo 4, Montalbo 3, Ganuelas-Rosser 2.
SAN MIGUEL 93 — Fajardo 20, Cruz 16, Tautuaa 12, Perez 10, Manuel 10, Ross 9, Enciso 6, Brondial 6, Lassiter 4.
Quarters: 24-28, 53-50, 84-75, 102-93.
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