THE San Miguel Beermen have the upperhand, with their 6-1 head-to-head record against the TNT Tropang 5G in their past championship showdowns in the Philippine Basketball Association.
When the Beermen confront the Tropang 5G in the coming 2026 Philippine Cup Finals, it will be their eighth time clashing for a championship title.
With the Beermen seeking a seventh crown against the Tropang 5G, coach Leo Austria feels that it won’t be an easy task this time around.
“Binigyan ulit kami ng chance na ma-defend and title namin. People are expecting that we will dominate the game. But it’s not going to be easy,” said Austria during a pre-finals’ presser on Monday at the Novotel in Cubao, Quezon City.
The Beermen’s dominance of TNT in the finals, includes Philippine Cup victories in 2022 (Season 47) and 2025 (Season 49).
The series gets underway, with Game 1 scheduled on Wednesday at the Ynares Sports Center in Antipolo.
The Beermen made the finals after defeating the Barangay Ginebra San Miguel Kings in their best-of-seven semifinal series, 4-2.
“Makikita natin na maraming teams na gustong mag-finals. But now, TNT played really well in the semis,” added Austria, a few days after they claimed their finals’ spot with a 101-88 victory over the Gin Kings in Game 6 on Friday at the Araneta Coliseum.
TNT is on its fourth consecutive conference finals, while San Miguel is making its fourth consecutive stint in the Philippine Cup finals.
The Tropang 5G will be shorthanded, with players dealing with significant injury concerns.
But coach Chot Reyes said they have to address this.
“It was a big objective for us. And it was our depth. And we are able to address that with additions in our lineup,” said Reyes, with players like Calvin Oftana, Rey Nambatac, Jordan Heading, and Brandon Ganuelas-Rosser reinforcing their battered roster.
The Tropang 5G head into the finals without RR Pogoy and Kelly Williams. Pogoy suffered a hamstring injury during the semifinal series, while Williams is nursing a right ankle injury.
The Beermen’s strength rest in their key players, led by nine-time MVP June Mar Fajardo, team captain C.J. Perez, and long-time star Marcio Lassiter.
