The San Miguel Beermen responded in Game 2 after a controversial Game 1 loss. Can the TNT Tropang 5G steal another win?

Catch this game live on Wednesday,  July 18, 2025 at 7:30 pm, Manila time.

San Miguel Beermen (1-1)

Projected Starting Five:

  • Juami Tiongson
  • Marcio Lassiter
  • CJ Perez
  • Rodney Brondial
  • June Mar Fajardo 

The Beermen won Game 2, 98-92, to even things up, but they–along with the good majority, perhaps–definitely feel like they should be leading two-zip. It’s frustrating, and the key now is to stay the course.

Don Trollano being a reliable bucket-getter is one of the worst-kept secrets in the league, and he proved it once again during Wednesday’s victory. He poured in a team-high 22 points on 10-of-16 shooting off the bench, helping ease some of the load off of their superstar MVP, June Mar Fajardo, who had a decent 17 points and nine rebounds. Mo Tautuaa, meanwhile, the subject of the questionable Game 1 call, chipped in 16 points.

CJ Perez only shot 4-for-15 in Game 3, but SMB’s depth covered it up nicely, though he ought to look for a bounce-back outing tomorrow – the same goes with other veterans, namely Chris Ross, Marcio Lassiter, Jeron Teng, and Juami Tiongson. Then again, anyone in that group could suddenly have a big night any day of the week.

TNT Tropang 5G (1-1)

Projected Starting Five:

  • Kim Aurin
  • Jordan Heading
  • Calvin Oftana
  • Kelly Williams
  • Brandon Ganuela-Rosser

The Tropang 5G finished +11 in the 4th Quarter of Game 2 as they scored 35 points in the frame. It’s good enough on most nights, but it’s a tad short when trying to overcome the talent and urgency of a hungry SMB squad.

The usual suspects led the TNT offense in Game 2. Star forward Calvin Oftana posted a game-high 23 points, while Jordan Heading, 43-year-old Kelly Williams, and Brandon Ganuelas-Rosser added 15, 11, and 10, respectively. 

Roger Pogoy, on the other hand, was held to a horrid 1-of-9 shooting for six points after scoring 23 Game 1 – the major dip is arguably one of the key factors in the team falling short. But, of course, it’s not just Pogoy, as Glenn Khobuntin, Simon Enciso, and Poy Erram, among others, were also quiet.

Now that the aftermath of Game 1 has died down, it will be interesting to see if TNT can relax and get back on their groove.

PICKS

Spread: TNT (+5.5) 

Over/Under: Under