Game on Wednesday
(Ynares Center-Antipolo)
7:30 p.m. – TNT vs San Miguel Beermen (Finals Game 1)
UP against San Miguel Beermen (SMB), the big dogs of the PBA’s centerpiece conference, TNT armed itself with one of the most crucial foundations for success — self-belief.
“I feel if we’re coming into this series with less than 100% belief, then we have no chance. So it starts from there,” coach Chot Reyes said as the Tropang 5G challenge the Philippine Cup (PC) titleholder Beermen beginning on Wednesday at the Ynares Center-Antipolo.
“We have to have the belief that regardless of who’s healthy or not, we’re going to come out and play our best game. And the problem is even if we bring out our best game, it’s not guaranteed we will beat a team as strong as San Miguel. But in the end, all we can do is do our best and if that happens to be enough, then so be it; if not, it doesn’t bother us too much.”
The flagship franchise of the MVP Group and their counterpart from San Miguel Corp. face off exactly 180 days after disputing the league’s crown jewel in the previous season.
The Beermen won then, 4-2, and are now determined to repeat and annex their eighth diadem in the last 11 editions of the All-Filipino, and third at TNT’s expense.
“It is hard to defeat TNT, given their experience. In the last three conferences (prior to the coming series), they were in the finals and I think they’re thinking of how to get back at us because last conference we beat them in the finals,” said SMB’s Leo Austria.
Learning from the July 2025 experience, the Tropang 5G beefed up with the pre-season acquisition of pesky guard Jio Jalalon, veteran sniper Kevin Ferrer and high-flying Tyrus Hill. Mr. Reyes’ squad also welcomed back Rey Nambatac and Poy Erram to the Last Dance after getting sidelined by injuries last time. RR Pogoy, though, is still recovering from hamstring injury, leaving Calvin Oftana, Kelly Williams, Jordan Heading, Brandon Rosser, Messrs. Nambatac and Erram with heavier loads for now.
“If you go into any tournament, you take a look at who’s the big guy on the block. No secret that San Miguel has dominated this tournament. So if you want to be able to compete with them, then you better have the resources and that’s what guided our buildup,” said Mr. Reyes.
“Obviously, the fact that we are complete now, though not 100% complete, gives us a better chance, but it’s no guarantee of success. I think we have a better chance and, in the end, that’s all we want,” he added.
Mr. Heading, who joined TNT in the season-ending PC and fell short of his first championship as the Tropang 5G missed the last piece to a rare grand slam, relishes this second chance.
“We’re just really happy we have this opportunity again, have a crack at the crown. We’re just hoping it comes out a little bit differently this time,” he said.
The June Mar Fajardo-led Beermen are out to preserve their esteemed reputation.
“We feel like not only in the All-Filipino, but like every conference, we should win a championship. So, if we don’t, it’s a failure. But especially in this All-Filipino. I think we’re the only team to ever win five straight, right? So that’s a feat in itself and we take it personal,” said Chris Ross.
“We know that these teams are getting better. But we feel like we’re one of the best All-Filipino teams that’s ever played in the PBA. There’s been different iterations of our team but we keep winning and we’re in the finals again. Hopefully we can get four more wins before TNT does. It’s going to be a battle.”
Notes: The Phoenix Fuel Masters announced the appointment of St. Benilde’s Charles Tiu as their new head coach on Tuesday. Mr. Tiu, who had previous stints as assistant coach with Meralco and Converge, took over from Willy Wilson, whom the Fuel Masters released last week after a one-conference tenure of three wins and eight losses. — Olmin Leyba
