Expect the hostilities to intensify even more as TNT KaTropa and San Miguel Beer resume their war in the continuation of their fierce best-if-seven championship showdown in the 2019 Philippine Basketball Association.
Following a Game 2 classic which needed two overtime periods, Game 3, scheduled at 7 p.m. today at the Smart Araneta Coliseum, is once again anticipated to be a slugfest.
With the series now knotted at 1-1, the Tropang Texters and the Beermen are expected to fight tooth-and-nail in Game 3 as both are eager to get a pivotal upperhand.
San Miguel Beer was able to equalize after coming through with a hard-fought, 127-125 squeaker in a double-overtime thriller in Game 2 Wednesday night.
The Beermen were able to take advantage of the late ejection of TNT import Terrence Jones and the fouling out of Troy Rosario to muscle their way in the clutch.
“Like in Game 2, never giving up will be the key for us,” said San Miguel Beer coach Leo Austria, who commended his team for keeping its composure to be able to tie the series. “We expect the same kind of game.”
TNT coach Bong Ravena does not want a repeat of what happened in Game 2 wherein the Tropang Texters were a free throw make away from icing the game in the first overtime.
“Definitely, all the little things are important and we have to take care of all of them, including better free throw shooting,” said Ravena.
Terrence Romeo came alive in Game 2, piling up 29 points and setting a new conference-high for him as he likewise hit clutch baskets down the stretch to help San Miguel Beer pull through.
“Hindi madali kalaban ang TNT. Pahirapan talaga,” admitted Romeo after his squad tied the series. “Kailangan namin is more focus and less turnovers para better ‘yung chance namin to win again.”