The San Miguel Beermen used their size and strength in Game 3 of the PBA Philippine Cup Finals to pull off to a dominant 108-88 victory over the injury-plagued TNT Tropang 5G on Friday, July 18, at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.

The Beermen have now taken a 2-1 series lead after following up their Game 2 win and are just two victories away from capturing the PBA Season 49 Philippine Cup crown while derailing TNT’s Grand Slam aspirations.

Fajardo dominates as TNT loses defensive anchor

June Mar Fajardo proved unstoppable in the paint, finishing with 33 points and 11 rebounds to anchor San Miguel’s offensive onslaught. With TNT missing key big man Poy Erram due to an ankle injury, the Beermen took full advantage, outscoring the Tropang 5G 48-28 in points in the paint.

Erram was seen limping off toward the tunnel at the buzzer, making his return in Game 4 on Sunday at the MOA Arena doubtful and putting further pressure on TNT’s already thin frontcourt.

San Miguel had four other players in double figures: Chris Ross with 15 points and key three-pointers, Jericho Cruz with 13, CJ Perez with 12, and Don Trollano adding 10. Ross delivered clutch threes late in the game to put the result beyond doubt.

Early TNT fight fades under San Miguel’s second-half surge

TNT started strong and even held a 10-point lead early, backed by accurate three-point shooting (7-of-11 in the first half), with veteran Kelly Williams going 3-of-3 from deep. But San Miguel adjusted and closed the second quarter on a high note.

Perez buried a deep shot off a TNT turnover late in the second frame to give San Miguel a 59-52 halftime lead. Fajardo had already registered 21 points at the break, hitting 6-of-7 from the field and 9-of-11 free throws along with six boards.

The Beermen controlled the second half, wearing down the shorthanded TNT squad and putting themselves in prime position to inch closer to another Philippine Cup title.