EXPECT hostilities to reach a whole new level as protagonists San Miguel Beer and TNT KaTropa resume their best-of-seven finals in the 2017 Philippine Basketball Association Commissioner’s Cup.
The Beermen have a golden opportunity to close in on yet another title as they shoot for a commanding 3-1 series lead over the Tropang Texters in Game 4 at 7 p.m. tonight at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
The Tropang Texters want to equalize the count at 2-all to avoid falling into a hole against San Miguel Beer.
Prior to tip-off, the Best Player and the Best Import of the Conference will both be awarded.
For the Best Player of the Conference, it is a close battle between San Miguel teammates Chris Ross and Alex Cabagnot and the same goes for the Best Import award with Ginebra’s Justin Brownlee, Star’s Ricardo Ratcliffe and San Miguel’s Charles Rhodes all gunning for it.
More importantly, the direction of the finals will now depend on what happens in Game 4.
Will San Miguel have total control or will TNT KaTropa even things up?
Beermen coach Leo Austria certainly hopes San Miguel can win its third straight in the series to move within a game of capturing a second straight championship.
“We were able to stay focused in the last two games and that resulted to victories. Not much adjustments. We just have to keep our composure to win another one and move closer to our goal,” said Austria.
Just like Game 2, San Miguel methodically worked broke down TNT KaTropa to list a crucial 109-97 rout in Game 3 Sunday night to seize the series lead.
Cabagnot had his best outing of the series thus far, pouring in 28 points to lead the Beermen’s charge.
The Tropang Texters now face a must-win situation to avoid a deep 1-3 deficit.
After committing 10 costly turnovers in Game 3, the Tropang Texters are hoping that star Jayson Castro can regain his form to boost their chances.