PBA: CHOT REYES SAYS SAN MIGUEL 'JUST BETTER' AFTER TNT FINALS LOSS

MANILA, Philippines–TNT coach Chot Reyes commended San Miguel Beer for getting the job done and winning the PBA Philippine Cup crown at his team’s expense for the second straight time.

Reyes took to social media, praising the Beermen for the way they were able to close out the series on Sunday with a 92-77 victory at Mall of Asia Arena.

READ: PBA Finals: San Miguel Beer repeats over TNT, keeps Philippine Cup crown

“Sometimes, no matter how hard we try, the other team is just better,” Reyes said in an Instagram story. “In those moments, you tip your cap and move on. Congrats SMB!”

The Tropang 5G mounted a furious rally after being down 26-5 at the start, with Calvin Oftana leading the way with big shots to later finish with 28 points.

But Oftana was held in check by Chris Ross in the fourth quarter while TNT had no answers to San Miguel’s pullaway anchored by June Mar Fajardo, who wound up with 29 points and 23 rebounds plus the PBA Press Corps Finals Most Valuable Player.

The Finals started with TNT taking the opener before dropping the next two, including a heartbreaking Game 3 that occurred despite a three-point lead with 50 seconds remaining.

READ: PBA: Chot Reyes hopes to coax out another complete game for TNT

After bouncing back to claim Game 4 by 23, TNT looked like it was poised to regain the driver’s seat in Game 5 with a 23-7 start.

But San Miguel reversed the tide eventually, and TNT absorbed a 96-82 defeat that put them on the brink of elimination.

TNT also had a tough time countering a number of big contributions from San Miguel’s roster apart from Fajardo, namely Don Trollano, CJ Perez, Rodney Brondial, Marcio Lassiter, Kris Rosales and Mo Tautuaa.

2026-02-02T10:46:53Z