San Miguel Routs TNT, Snaps Five-Game Losing Streak In PBA On Tour
5 min read
In a lopsided clash at the Ynares Sports Arena in Pasig, the San Miguel Beermen unleashed a relentless assault on an undermanned TNT Tropang Giga squad, emerging victorious with a dominant 111-74 triumph on Friday evening, July 7.
The Beermen’s reserves stepped up, snapping their five-game losing streak to improve to a 3-5 loss card.
Led by a deeper rotation and a formidable performance from their bench, San Miguel overwhelmed TNT in every quarter. Their offensive onslaught was highlighted by a staggering 19-0 scoring run, showcasing a complete dismantling of the Tropang Giga, who suffered their sixth consecutive loss without a single win in the preseason series.
Marvin Lee shone for the Beermen, leading the scoring charge with a career-high 22 points, including five three-pointers. Jericho Cruz and Allyn Bulanadi also made significant contributions, each contributing 20 points to the team’s impressive offensive output. Rodney Brondial took advantage of extended playing time in the absence of June Mar Fajardo, tallying a double-double with 17 markers and 13 rebounds.
San Miguel capitalized on TNT’s depleted lineup, as the Tropang Giga were missing key players such as Jayson Castro, Mikee Williams, RR Pogoy, Kelly Williams, and Glenn Khobuntin. With only eight players available, Jaydee Tungcab led the scoring effort for TNT with a remarkable 30-point performance. Carl Bryan Cruz was the only other Tropang Giga player to reach double figures, contributing 21 points and eight rebounds. Pete Alfaro III emerged as the team’s third-best scorer with eight points, while no other TNT player scored more than five.
The Beermen asserted their dominance from the opening quarter, seizing a 29-23 lead, and maintained control throughout the first half with a score of 55-46. Their relentless pursuit of victory continued in the second half as they unleashed an insurmountable offensive barrage for the shorthanded TNT squad.
The resounding win provided a much-needed boost for San Miguel, ending their five-game slump impressively. Coach Jorge Gallent expressed his satisfaction with the team’s performance, emphasizing the importance of breaking their losing streak.
Marvin Lee’s standout performance and Allyn Bulanadi’s clutch contributions in the third quarter were instrumental in the Beermen’s victory. Jericho Cruz also made his presence felt before his ejection in the third period following a collision with Varilla. Rodney Brondial continued to impress with another double-double, showcasing his versatility on both ends of the court.
On the other hand, TNT Tropang Giga’s winless preseason campaign continued as they suffered their sixth straight defeat. Despite JD Tungcab’s remarkable 30-point outing and Carl Bryan Cruz’s notable performance, their efforts were not enough to overcome the overwhelming firepower of the Beermen.
As the PBA preseason series progresses, San Miguel looks to build on their newfound momentum, while TNT aims to regroup and search for their first victory of the tournament.
The boxscores:
San Miguel (111) – Lee 22, Bulanadi 20, Cruz 20, Brondial 17, Javelona 9, Dela Cruz 6, Faundo 6, Baclao 4, De Vera 3, Apacible 2, Lazarte 2.
TNT (74) – Tungcab 30,, Cruz 21, Alfaro 8, Jopia 5, Varilla 4, Montalbo 4, Marcelo 2, Cuntapay 0.
Quarterscores: 29-23; 55-36; 83-56, 111-74.
