AS THE San Miguel Beermen (SMB) demolished the Talk N' Text (TNT) KaTropa, 104-88, in Game 6 of 2017 PBA Philippine Cup best-of-seven semifinals series Saturday evening, Dabawenyos are divided on who will advance to the finals when hostility resumes at 7 p.m. Monday, February 20, at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
June Mar "The Kraken" Fajardo posted a double-double output, pouring in 23 points and 21 rebounds.
Though some believe that the SMB is currently riding on its momentum to win the series, others think the TNT can also pull off a win.
Davao City Sports Development Division-City Mayor's Office (SDD-CMO) communications staff April John "Skippy" Lumawag said SMB would win the semifinals series behind Fajardo and the rest of the team's outside shooters.
"TNT will be able to adjust but SMB won't allow them to make it up to the finals because their defense is phenomenal," Lumawag said.
Ateneo de Davao University Blue Knights player Axel Doromal said SMB is too strong to contain inside the paint.
"Gusto ko ang TNT makapasok sa finals, pero masyado ng malakas ang SMB," Doromal said.
SunStar Davao photojournalist Mark Christian Lim has high hopes that TNT will make it to the finals.
Lim said TNT will utilize their speed and tenacity, saying: "Speed is a factor. No doubt both teams can shoot but SMB is a half court set team compared to TNT whose players can run both sides of the court."
Lim added he believed that TNT would have a slight edge if they could keep Fajardo away from the paint.
Harvey Virador, a solid TNT fan, said SMB will succumb to TNT's speed in Game 7.
"The KaTropa will use their aces in the deciding game. Jason Castro and their other guards should step up and refrain a half court set up game of SMB," Virador said. (ABM)