While probably not completely
impossible, it would be difficult to bounce back from a 3-1 win deficit in a “best
of seven” game series. The San Miguel Beermen know this well enough that they
powered through the Talk n Text KaTropa to secure Game 4 of the 2019 PBA
Commissioner’s Cup Finals last Sunday. From there, all that remains for either
team is to take Game 5 to make the series 3-2, and get the morale boost of
being one victory away from the Cup. Last August 14, despite some questionable
action in the first half, would see San Miguel triumph over TNT once more.
Inquirer.net has it that the Beermen made sure to capitalize on
their series-evening Game 4 in the 2019 PBA Commissioner’s Cup Finals, in order
to give a formidable performance against the KaTropa at Smart Araneta Coliseum.
TNT was not going to take things lying down however, as evidenced by the
lowered Final scores of 99 to 94. San Miguel import Chris McCullough was pitted
against his opposite number Terrence Jones, and where the latter outscored the
former in Game 4 this time the two were literally even in points, both giving
35 to their respective teams. McCullough still ruled with 22 rebounds to Jones’
17.
The quarter scoring evoked the
wins of the Beermen and KaTropa in the previous games of this Finals series, with
TNT ahead by 28-22 in the First. San Miguel pushed back 21-23 in the Second
quarter while the KaTropa snatched the lead again 31-24 at the end of Third,
thanks again to Jones and his teammates Jayson Castro and Roger Pogoy. In the
end however, McCullough was in his element, securing a 95-94 lead for the
Beermen at 28 second of game time left, which Chris Ross capped off by a couple
well-shot free throws.
If there was a cloud over the 2019
PBA Commissioner’s Cup Finals Game 5 between the TNT KaTropa and San Miguel
Beermen, it would have to be some unsportsmanlike and racist taunting on the
part of SMB forward Arwind Santos, who made monkey gestures (a historical caricature of African-Amerricans) from the sidelines
at Terrence Jones during the first half. Jones vented his thoughts on his
Twitter page Thursday, August 15, while TNT manager Gabby Cui described the
incident as “sad,” issuing a statement that racism has no place in sports and
life. Santos has already been reprimanded by his coaches and PBA Commissioner
Willie Marcial.
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