MANILA, Philippines – In spite of falling behind San Miguel Beermen 1-3 in the best-of-seven series, TNT Tropang 5G will head into Game 5 of the PBA Philippine Cup finals with a chance at history—and a season—still alive.

In Game 1, the Tropang 5G had an early lead. However, San Miguel would go on to win after a contentious decision was made to reverse a late basket by Moala Tautuaa. A 105-91 drubbing in Game 4 at the SM Mall of Asia Arena brought the defending champions dangerously close to clinching the title, but the Beermen came out on top in the following three games, outscoring TNT by an average of 17 points.

As TNT gets ready for Wednesday’s rematch at the Smart Araneta Coliseum, head coach Chot Reyes maintains his unwavering determination. At this pivotal juncture, TNT must demonstrate its worthiness if it wants to prolong tournament play and maintain its Triple Crown ambitions.

Injury plagues have not deterred TNT, which has instead relied on team spirit to overcome its obstacles. While center Poy Erram fought a high ankle sprain and then strained his hamstring in the third quarter of Game 4, guard Calvin Oftana played through an ankle sprain. Erram, whose movement was obviously impaired, was able to complete the game. Notable absences include Jayson Castro (Govs’ Cup Finals MVP), who is out for the season due to a knee ailment, and Rey Nambatac (Commissioners Cup Finals MVP), who is out with a pulled groin.

The depth of TNT has been challenged, and issues in the late game were exacerbated by rotation irregularities. But in Game 4, the core showed some fight: Jordan Heading scored 23 points and had five assists, and veteran Kelly Williams added 14 points, seven boards, five assists, and three steals. Game 4 slipped out of reach due to San Miguel’s dominance in the fourth quarter, which was aided by Jericho Cruz’s clutch three-pointers.

Recognizing how rare it is to rebound from a 1-3 finals disadvantage, Reyes admits TNT is unlikely to mount a comeback. Only Barangay Ginebra in 1991 and San Miguel in 2016 have accomplished this. But the coach is adamant that giving up is not an option. He assures the fans that the squad will not give up and will play their hearts out in the last game.

If TNT wants to prolong their season and keep their Grand Slam aspirations alive, they will need to win Game 5. A crucial change in momentum can be sparked, according to Reyes, by the team’s veteran leadership and sense of urgency. Several players will need to chip in for the Tropang 5G to be able to withstand San Miguel’s pressure.

Game 4’s 11 points were far lower than Oftana’s series average of 17.1, so he needs to find his scoring touch. The onus for improving interior defense and grabbing rebounds will also be on Erram and Williams, as Heading tries to keep up the offensive fire he showed earlier. Given that the rotation’s frailties were highlighted in the most recent losses, a well-rounded effort is essential.

San Miguel has an opportunity to win their 28th PBA championship in Game 5. In contrast to TNT’s present injury-plagued team, the Beermen’s lineup boasts seasoned veterans and a championship pedigree. San Miguel has shown resiliency by recovering from the controversy surrounding Game 1 and turning their emotional victories into victories that matter. The foundation of their success has been a blend of effective scoring, defensive rotations, and solid play inside the paint.

The question of whether TNT can rally a big enough response to force a Game 6 looms large as the network gets ready to play its last game. If they are unsuccessful, their season will come to a close, and the disappointment of missing out on the Grand Slam will hit them hard.

Nevertheless, TNT’s mission has already demonstrated perseverance, regardless of the result. The journey to the finals was not without its challenges: the squad had to overcome higher-seeded opponents in the quarterfinals and semifinals, cope with early-season injury absences, and enter the Philippine Cup as the sixth seed. The voyage, which culminated in a contentious victory in Game 1 and two narrow escape victories, is marked by a streak of tenacity.