Beermen vs Tropang 5G: PBA Finals roster review
Alta Sports9 months ago · 1135 views
Photo: PBA Images
By James Ajero
San Miguel's roster depth could be the biggest difference against TNT in their finals rematch in the PBA 50 Philippine Cup starting this Wednesday at the Ynares Center in Antipolo.
While both teams possess talented starters, it remains to be seen if Tropang 5G has enough star power to flip the script against the Beermen, who have beaten them in the 2022 and 2025 PH Cup finals.
Here's a view on how their rosters compare as they prepare for a tough finals showdown in the 50th edition of the All-Filipino Cup.
San Miguel Beermen
Starters: June Mar Fajardo, CJ Perez, Chris Ross, Marcio Lassiter, Moa Tautuaa
Reserves: Don Trollano, Jericho Cruz, Rodney Brondial, Juami Tiongson, Andreas Cahilig, Jeron Teng
Dismantling the Beermen would be a tall order for TNT, as coach Chot Reyes himself admitted that San Miguel leads the league in bench production.
Just like the previous PH Cup finals, Tropang 5G will contend with shocktroopers Don Trollano and Jericho Cruz, who both can provide the scoring support to the Beermen, especially in crunch time.
Cruz played a huge role in San Miguel’s recent Philippine Cup title win, averaging 13.8 points, 3.5 rebounds, and 3.3 assists on his way to capturing the Finals MVP award.
Trollano has also established himself as a high-caliber sixth man with his conference average of 15.6 points, 4.2 rebounds, and 1.8 assists.
Meanwhile, San Miguel's starting five is a death lineup on its own behind nine-time MVP June Mar Fajardo and renowned wingmen CJ Perez, Chris Ross, and Marcio Lassiter.
TNT Tropang 5G
Starters: Jordan Heading, Brandon Ganuelas-Rosser, Calvin Oftana, Poy Erram, Simon Enciso
Reserves: Rey Nambatac, Jio Jalalon, Glenn Khobuntin, Kim Aurin, Henry Galinato, Kevin Ferrer, Kelly Williams
Though they made quick work of Rain or Shine and Meralco, TNT is still at risk of falling short against a proven top-tier team like San Miguel due to injuries.
In their PH Cup finals encounter last year, Tropang 5G played without injured elite guards Jayson Castro and Rey Nambatac.
While Castro has not played since then, Nambatac has made a successful return for TNT, averaging 11.8 points, 2.4 rebounds, and 2.8 assists in the semifinals.
However, TNT's woes do not end here, as RR Pogoy will miss the championship round due to a hamstring injury he aggravated in Tropang 5G’s Game 4 win over Meralco in the semis.
—JMS, Alta Sports
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