TNT’s campaign in the PBA 50 Philippine Cup Finals is beginning to mirror an all-too-familiar storyline, as Tropang 5G once again find themselves retracing the path of their previous All-Filipino Cup heartbreak against San Miguel.

 

Here's how both series compare ahead of the pivotal Game 4 on Wednesday at the Mall of Asia Arena.

 

 

Despite both teams showing heart and resilience to win the opener, controversies marred TNT's 99-96 win in Game 1 of the PBA Season 49 Philippine Cup Finals last July 13, 2025, at the Araneta Coliseum.

 

With 57 seconds remaining in the fourth quarter, Mo Tautuaa attempted a dunk that was disrupted by Kelly Williams. The defense proved futile as the ball bounced and still went in, awarding San Miguel a 98-97 lead. However, it will take another 51 seconds before the game officials rule that Tautuaa committed basketball interference, reversing the score in favor of TNT, 97-96. Calvin Oftana then sank two free throws to seal Tropang 5G's victory.

 

TNT led by as many as 24 points before San Miguel found its rhythm in the second half.

 

 

TNT opened the series with a controversy-free 96-91 win in Game 1 of the PBA 50 Philippine Cup Finals last January 21 at the Ynares Center in Antipolo. The Tropang 5G rode the steady play of Williams, who anchored TNT’s effort with 15 rebounds and nine assists.

 

Much like Game 1 of their previous Finals meeting, San Miguel threatened to seize control after erupting for a 55-point blitz in the second half.

 

Tropang 5G countered with balanced scoring to quell the Beermen’s late rally. Oftana delivered a double-double of 13 points and 10 assists, while Jordan Heading chipped in 10 points and eight assists to help TNT hold on to the victory.

 

 

Shaking off the sting of a contentious series opener, San Miguel cruised to a 98-92 win over TNT in Game 2 of the PBA 49 Philippine Cup Finals last July 16, 2025, at the Araneta Coliseum.

 

The Beermen looked in control early, building a 51-38 cushion at the half, before TNT threatened to flip the script in the third quarter. Riding a barrage of five three-pointers, Tropang 5G sliced the deficit to a single point heading into the final frame.

 

That was when Don Trollano took over. The veteran guard erupted for 12 points in the fourth quarter, steadying San Miguel and sealing the bounce-back win. Trollano finished with a team-high 22 points as the Beermen evened the best-of-seven series at 1-1.

 

June Mar Fajardo added 17 points and nine rebounds, while Tautuaa chipped in 16 markers.

 

 

Trollano once again showed his big-game poise, pouring in 22 points to lead San Miguel to a dominant 111-92 rout of Tropang 5G in Game 2 of the PBA 50 Philippine Cup Finals last Friday, January 23, at the Ynares Center.

 

Much like their Game 2 performance in the previous All-Filipino Cup, the Beermen seized control right from the opening tip, racing to a commanding 30-18 advantage by the end of the first quarter and never looking back.

 

San Miguel’s efficiency told the story, shooting a blistering 55.7 percent from the field while holding TNT to a paltry 35.2 percent clip.

 

Fajardo anchored the victory with a monster double-double of 17 points and 16 rebounds, while Tautuaa provided steady support with 14 points in another balanced showing by the Beermen, who tied the series at 1-1.

 

 

San Miguel moved to a 2-1 series lead with a one-sided 108-88 victory against the undermanned TNT in Game 3 of the PBA Season 49 Philippine Cup Finals last July 18, 2025, at the Araneta Coliseum.

 

TNT fought valiantly, slashing San Miguel's lead to 90-83, but the Beermen responded with an 18-5 run to crush Tropang 5G's hopes for a comeback.

 

Fajardo recorded a conference-high 33 points and 11 rebounds, taking full advantage of the absence of Poy Erram, who was sidelined with a knee injury. Chris Ross added 15 points and six assists.

 

 

CJ Perez etched his name deeper into San Miguel lore, delivering in the clutch to lift the Beermen to a gritty 95-89 triumph over TNT in Game 3 of the PBA 50 Philippine Cup Finals last Sunday at the Mall of Asia Arena.

 

Perez scored all of the Beermen’s points in a crucial 7-0 run in the final minute that turned an 86-89 deficit into a 93-89 lead for SMB. He swung the momentum in San Miguel’s favor, draining a 4-pointer over Henry Galinato with 41.8 seconds left to hand the Beermen a one-point lead. He followed it up with a trey with 12.3 seconds remaining to seal the win for SMB.

 

Will San Miguel continue its dominance in Game 4, or will TNT even the series at 2-2? We will soon find out.