The six biggest threats to TNT bid for a PBA grand slam

April 27 ------ STOP the TNT grand slam bid. That may well be the battlecry of 11 teams in the PBA Philippine Cup as the Tropang 5G trek the final road to what they hope would be a season sweep starting. 

The telecommunication franchise won the first two conferences of Season 49, namely the Governors’ Cup and Commissioner’s Cup, putting it in position to score the league’s first grand slam in 11 years, or since San Mig Coffee (Purefoods franchise) pulled off the rare treble in 2014. San Miguel was the last team to be in the same situation back in 2019, but fell short in its bid after exiting in the quarterfinals stage of the season-ending Governors’ Cup. Now it’s the Tropang 5G’s turn to take a shot at history. The road is certainly tough as numerous teams do have the talent and manpower to go toe-to-toe with the two-time season champions and thwart its ambitious bid to join the elite club of PBA grand slam achievers. 

1. SAN MIGUEL – despite the loss to Magnolia before the Holy Week break, the Beermen remain among the biggest threats to the Tropang 5G’s slam bid. And eight-time MVP June Mar Fajardo has a lot to do with it. Since the 6-foot-10 Cebuano great came on board San Miguel, the team has won the all-Filipino conference six times in 11 seasons. San Miguel did win five straight Philippine Cup titles during the ‘Death Five’ era, but even after the quintet was dissolved, Fajardo was still able to steer the Beermen to the championship in 2023. The loss to Meralco in last year’s finals and the failure to make the playoffs in the last Commissioner’s Cup serve as added motivation for a bounce-back conference for the multi-titled franchise. And remember too, how San Miguel (then carrying the Petron banner) denied TNT of a grand slam back in 2011 when the Blaze Boosters beat the Tropa in Game 7 of the 2011 Governors’ Cup. 

2. BARANGAY GINEBRA – twice runner-up this season, the Kings are looking to reverse their fortunes this time by winning it all. And doing it at the expense of the very same team that relegated them to back-to-back runner-up finishes would be a fitting payback for the franchise. The Kings will parade a mix of youth and veterans in their roster as they gun for their first Philippine Cup crown since the 2020 Clark bubble in Pampanga. Former MVP Scottie Thompson is expected to pick up from where he left off during the Commissioner’s Cup Finals along with the rejuvenated Japeth Aguilar, Troy Rosario, Jamie Malonzo, Jeremiah Gray, Maverick Ahanmisi, Stephen Holt, Ralph Cu, rookie RJ Abarrientos, and the unsinkable LA Tenorio. 

3. MAGNOLIA – the Hotshots are off to a fine start in the conference by winning their first three outings, including a 98-95 overtime victory over the Beermen. The team’s young core of Zavier Lucero, Jerom Lastimosa, and Peter Alfaro are beginning to blend well with old hands Mark Barroca, Paul Lee, Ian Sangalang, Calvin Abueva, Aris Dionisio, and Rome Dela Rosa. Magnolia hasn’t won a championship since 2018 - and a Philippine Cup crown since its grand slam season (2014). The Hotshots can preserve their record as the last PBA team to win a grand slam by denying TNT such privilege. 

4. MERALCO – the Bolts aren't the defending champions for nothing. Remember how this very same core pulled off an upset against the heavily-favored Beermen in last year’s finals to win the first PBA title in franchise history. The addition of talented rookies CJ Cansino and Kurt Reyson are a welcome development for its title-retention bid, although the loss of veteran gunner Allein Maliksi for the remainder of the season is a major setback for the team. Still, the Bolts have been there, and for sure they know what it takes to win again. 

5. RAIN OR SHINE – the Elasto Painters seemed ripe for a title after three straight semifinal appearances. Unfortunately, injuries to big men Beau Belga and Keith Datu could be huge setbacks early in the team’s campaign. But when everybody’s healthy, there’s no doubt Rain or Shine is a legitimate contender with a roster oozing with youth and talent, relying on the likes of Adrian Nocum, Santi Santillan, Gian Mamuyac, Andre Caracut, Jhonard Clarito, Anton Asistio, and rookies Caelan Tiongson, Felix Lemetti, and Mike Malonzo. With Yeng Guiao at the helm, the Elasto Painters could yet be the dark horse team this conference. 

6. CONVERGE – Justin Arana and rookie Justin Baltazar form one of the best frontcourts in a conference without imports. Converge's bench also has size and depth with the likes of Alec Stockton, Kevin Racal, Bryan Santos, Schonny Winston, Jackson Corpuz, King Caralipio, Jhan Nermal, and the injured Jordan Heading. Experience may be lacking yet for this FiberXers unit, but who knows, once the stars align in its favors, fans may be seeing the team deep into the playoffs. 

Source: spin.ph