San Miguel Beer is just one victory away from clinching back-to-back Philippine Cup titles after a hard-fought 96-82 win over TNT Tropang 5G in Game 5 of the PBA Season 50 finals at the Ynares Sports Center in Antipolo on Friday, January 30. The victory gives the Beermen a pivotal 3-2 lead in the best-of-seven series.

Rodney Brondial starred for San Miguel, stepping up in extended minutes while Moala Tautuaa drew early fouls and June Mar Fajardo rested due to knee concerns. Brondial posted a rare double-double, scoring 17 points and grabbing 15 rebounds, and helped lead seven Beermen in double figures.

The Beermen now have the chance to close out the series in Game 6 at the SM MOA Arena on Sunday. A Game 7, if needed, will also be held at the same venue on Wednesday.

Brondial leads balanced effort

Brondial capped a standout performance with a timely three-pointer, giving San Miguel a 90-76 lead with four minutes remaining. He also added two blocks and an assist in 33:40 minutes, marking one of the best games of his career.

“Gusto lang talaga namin manalo dahil mahirap ma-down 2-3,” Brondial said, adding that the loss in a previous encounter fueled the team’s motivation. His balanced scoring effort included contributions of at least 11 points each from Fajardo, Tautuaa, Don Trollano, Kris Rosales, Marcio Lassiter, and CJ Perez.

After trailing by as much as 16 points early, the Beermen found their rhythm in the second and third quarters, outscoring TNT 58-32 and turning the tide in their favor. Coach Leo Austria emphasized patience and perseverance as key to regaining control of the game.

Hustle and teamwork seal the win

The matchup was marked by physical play and hard fouls, including an incident where Fajardo banged his knees and required extended rest. Despite the setback, Brondial and the rest of the Beermen maintained intensity and executed on hustle plays.

San Miguel dominated the boards, outrebounding TNT 51-36, and converted fastbreak opportunities into an 11-0 advantage. Austria highlighted the improvement from the previous game, noting that controlling rebounds and limiting fastbreak points were crucial to the victory.

The win positions the Beermen one step away from claiming another Philippine Cup crown, demonstrating the value of teamwork, resilience, and timely individual performances.