Beermen bounce back, take Game 2 to tie PBA Finals

Coming off a disputed Game 1 ending, the San Miguel Beermen returned with urgency and composure, fending off the TNT Tropang 5G, 98–92, to even the PBA Philippine Cup Finals at one game apiece at the Smart Araneta Coliseum on July 16.

Don Trollano picked up slack for the Beermen’s fourth-quarter fightback after throwing away a strong 13-point lead, pouring in 12 of his 22 points in the final frame to carry San Miguel to a crucial Game 2 win.

Moala Tautuaa, whose potential game-winning dunk in the finals opener that appeared to be nullified due to basket interference, channeled his frustration into fuel, delivering a crucial 16-point performance along with four rebounds.

Best Player of the Conference frontrunner June Mar Fajardo  anchored both ends of the floor, contributing 17 points and nine boards in a steady two-way performance.

“Kahit mag-zero out of 20 ako, I’m still going to shoot whatever happens. Nagtiwala sa'kin si coach. Kailangan ko lang suklian,” Trollano said.

“We’ve been through adversity and we know what to do,” added San Miguel head coach Leo Austria, underscoring his team's experience and mental toughness after the Game 1 controversy.

Defensive lynchpin Chris Ross made his presence felt in the starting lineup, tallying three steals—all in the fourth quarter—to help spark a 12–3 run and break a 77-all tie. Ross added seven points, four rebounds, and seven assists in a vintage performance.

Jeron Teng also emerged as a timely spark off the bench, delivering 10 points—all in the second quarter—to help San Miguel build a 12-point halftime advantage, 51–39.

But TNT came roaring back in the third, unleashing six triples in a 35–24 quarter to cut the Beermen's lead to a single point, 75–74, heading into the final period.

The Tropang Giga appeared to be gaining strength with the return of RR Pogoy and Kelly Williams, but suffered a major blow as Poy Erram exited in a wheelchair after injuring his right leg—landing awkwardly on Fajardo’s foot at the 9:04 mark of the third quarter. He finished with six points, two rebounds, three assists, and three blocks in just 15 minutes before the injury.

Calvin Oftana paced TNT with a game-high 23 points, including 13 in the third frame, but was held scoreless in the fourth.

With the series now tied at 1–1, both teams aim to seize control in Game 3, set for July 18 at the same Cubao venue.