Chris Ross and San Miguel Beermenne in the final of the PBA Philippine Cup 2 against TN TOPANG 5G. –Marlo Cueto / Inquirer.net
Chris Ross ensures that he is entering the finals of the PBA Philippines Cup while San Miguel Beer is trying to repeat TNT and take the series.
“I begged them a little to play more during the season, so I have to play games,” said Ross after leaving a fingerprint in the victory of match 2 of the Beermen match which equalized the series at 1-1 two nights earlier.
Match 3 takes place Friday evening at 7:30 p.m. inside the Smart Araneta Coliseum, with Ross who should rely on his important presence since the semi-final decision-maker against the favorite Barangay Ginebra to the crowd.
It was after the heartbreaking defeat of San Miguel in match 6 that Ross asked the coach Leo Austria if he could get a major playing time, confident to be a regular contributor even at 40.
Ross and Austria participated in many battles and championships together – and they had their share of disagreements.
“I know that every championship he was always going to intensify and we saw him in match 2,” said Austria. “His leadership was there, his ball distribution and the players are comfortable when he is on the ground.”
Ross collected seven points, four rebounds, seven assists and four interceptions in victory 98-92 which expired for the disappointment and frustration of the defeat of match 1 tainted by the dunk of Mo Tautuaa which was canceled at a crucial moment in the section due to an interference of the basket.
Tautuaa was also a factor in victory, just like Jericho Cruz, Don Trollano, the high -level man with 22 and Jeron Teng while the second unit of Beermen appeared to skillfully support Ross and June Mar Fajardo.
While San Miguel had a lot of heroes, TNT will seek to find his bearings after some of his pillars have become non-faters.
RR Pogoy has cooled up after siding in match 1 by displaying only six points on a 1 out of 9 shot, Brandon Ganulas-Rosser had rude problems, but ended up putting an end to the contest with 10 points, four rebounds and five blocks while he took a while before Jordan launched into a groove.
But a massive concern is the potential absence of Poy Erram, who refined his ankle in the second half and had to leave the place on a wheelchair.
Calvin Oftana drew 23 points for TNT, and was practically the only guy wearing the team before going out of goal to the fourth.
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The reversals as well as the unusual shortcomings also cost TNT a chance to win a return victory after being down 13.
