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| SMB's June Mar Fajardo (15) shoots over TNT's Brandon Ganuelas-Rosser in Game 3 of the PBA Philippine Cup Finals. Photo: PBA Images. |
June Mar Fajardo was in full beast mode at the Smart Araneta Coliseum on July 18, powering San Miguel to a dominant 108–88 win over TNT and seizing a 2–1 lead in the best-of-seven Philippine Cup Finals. His thunderous 33-point, 11-rebound, three-assist performance on an efficient 80% shooting clip displayed his nickname once again: The Kraken.
From the opening tip, it was clear that TNT’s interior defense was undermanned without injured big man Poy Erram. San Miguel capitalized, outscoring the Tropang 5G 48–28 in the paint, ramming the size advantage home and riding Fajardo’s textured post work.
Despite Erram's absence, TNT still tried to fight back with Kelly Williams, Brandon Ganuelas-Rosser, and Henry Galinato guarding Fajardo—but the eight-time MVP still found room to dominate.
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| Photo: PBA Media Bureau. |
Aside from the Kraken, veteran guard Chris Ross stepped up with a steady 15 points and six rebounds, cherry-picking key threes whenever TNT dared to double Fajardo. Jericho Cruz chipped in with 13 points and three assists, helping exploit mismatches and relieve pressure. CJ Perez and Don Trollano rounded out the offense with 12 and 10 points, respectively, combining for crucial baskets that maintained the blowout.
DEADLY DUO 😎
— One Sports (@OneSportsPHL) July 18, 2025
CJ Perez and Chris Ross work their way to seal the deal after making big buckets in the final quarter of their PBA Season 49 Philippine Cup Finals Game 3 against the TNT Tropang 5G. #PBASeason49 #PBAAngatAngLaban #PBAFinals pic.twitter.com/ShywK67UyD
PANALONG TAGAY 🍻
— One Sports (@OneSportsPHL) July 18, 2025
The San Miguel Beermen went back-to-back, securing the Game 3 victory to snatch the series lead against the TNT Tropang 5G in the PBA Season 49 Philippine Cup best-of-seven Finals! | 📸 RM Chua/One Sports#PBAFinals #PBASeason49 #PBAAngatAngLaban
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TNT was led by RR Pogoy’s 16 points and Calvin Oftana’s 15, with Almond Vosotros scoring 14 off the bench thanks to four timely threes. But the Tropang 5G simply ran out of legs—and bodies—especially late. San Miguel closed the door with a punishing 18–5 run to finish the fourth quarter that swung the momentum firmly in their favor.
TNT coach Chot Reyes now faces a pivotal task: to regroup without his star big, Erram, and find answers against not just one of the league’s best big men, but a Beermen team playing with full confidence. Can the Tropang 5G steady the ship for Game 4, or will San Miguel keep their stranglehold?