OPINION: TNT Poked the Bear? Game 1's Injustice Sparks Beermen

by Cris Andal

SMB's Don Trollano. Photo: PBA Images.

By the time the final buzzer sounded in Game 2 of the 2025 PBA Philippine Cup Finals, it wasn’t just a tied series that San Miguel had earned—it was revenge for what many believe was a flat-out robbery in Game 1.

Let’s not sugarcoat it: Game 1 was chaos. A whirlwind of whistles, clock issues, and what some fans are calling the most bewildering review sequence in recent PBA Finals history. The pivotal final play that was somehow not reviewed despite howls from the bench? The inconsistent foul calls throughout the match? To Beermen loyalists, it felt like the league itself had pushed their team off a cliff. Social media exploded. Analysts were baffled. Even casual fans were left scratching their heads.

So when Game 2 tipped off, it wasn’t just about basketball anymore. It was about justice.

The Beermen didn’t just want to win—they wanted to dominate, to erase every inch of doubt that Game 1 left behind. And dominate they did. They played like a team with receipts.

Inside the paint, they battered TNT with the kind of physicality that shouted, “We’re taking back what’s ours.” June Mar Fajardo and Mo Tautuaa muscled their way into every possession, while Jeron Teng transformed into a flamethrower in the second quarter, slicing through TNT’s defense like it owed him money.

Photo: PBA Media Bureau.

But it was Don Trollano who channeled all that fury into a surgical fourth quarter performance. Cool. Deadly. Clinical. He torched TNT for 12 of his 22 points when it mattered most, draining midrange jumpers and curling off screens with precision—each bucket a clapback to the chaos of Game 1.

Photo: PBA Images.

And then there’s Chris Ross, playoff vampire. He lives for nights like this. Four steals, and more importantly, several possessions where he straight-up stole TNT’s momentum. He wasn’t just defending players—he was defending the Beermen’s legacy.

TNT, for their part, looked lost. Their body language screamed frustration. Jordan Heading hit shots. Calvin Oftana gave it all he had. But they were disjointed. 17 turnovers. Zero rhythm. And no real response to the wall of muscle and grit San Miguel threw at them. Losing Poy Erram mid-game due to injury was a blow—but even with him on the floor, TNT was already unraveling.

The controversy of Game 1 didn’t just linger—it ignited Game 2. And now, the Finals are on fire.

With the series tied 1-1, the momentum clearly swinging, and tempers still simmering, the next few games promise more than just basketball—they promise drama. TNT may have struck first, but San Miguel just reminded them (and everyone watching) why they’re the winningest franchise in PBA history.

Game 3 won’t just be a battle—it’ll be a statement.

Buckle up. This isn't just a Finals. This could be personal.