Roger Pogoy came through for the Tropang Giga at the right time to snatch a spot in the finals, facing Magnolia Hotshots in a best-of-seven series for the 2021 All-Filipino crown.

Pogoy, who started slow in the first half, only delivered four points but started catching fire in the third canto, logging 10 points for the squad to cruise for a 67-55 lead coming into the final frame.

Pogoy, together with Poy Erram cruise to a three-point party as they led by as many as 26 points.

Mike Williams also helped to pull away TNT for good as the Beermen never got their deficit down to single digits 

Pogoy exploded with 27 points on 10-of-19 shooting from the field 

Mikey Williams backstopped Pogoy with 20 points, eight rebounds, and six assists while Kelly Williams already had a double-double by the first half, finishing with 11 points and 10 rebounds.

TNT coach Chot Reyes shared that he encouraged his players to just enjoy the moment playing in Game 7. 

“We told the players before the game, that if you told me before the series that we are going to play the first four games without our starting center and play the last few games with our back-up center with a fractured bone and then we are going to be 3-3 after six games, then we will be very, very happy,” Reyes said.

“I thought that was the most important thing. Frame of mind coming into this game. I said let’s look forward to this game. Let’s not dread going into Game 7. Let’s be excited and let’s look forward,” he added.

TNT will now face Magnolia which grabbed its first place in the Finals after beating Meralco in six games.

“There is still another one huge mountain to climb,” Reyes averred.

On the other hand, Fajardo top-scored for San Miguel with 22 points and 16 rebounds while Chris Ross had 15 points and 11 rebounds. 

Mo Tautuaa, CJ Perez, and Terrence Romeo combined for 22 points as they dealt with injuries late in Game Seven.

Marcio Lassiter, the hero of Game 6, was scoreless in the do-or-die match.

The scores:

TNT 97 – Pogoy 27, M. Williams 20, Rosario 12, K. Williams 11, Erram 9, Reyes 7, Castro 6, Heruela 3, Khobuntin 2, Exciminiano 0, Montalbo 0, Marcelo 0.

San Miguel 79 – Fajardo 22, Ross 15, Perez 11, Romeo 9, Santos 9, Pessumal 8, Cabagnot 3, Tautuaa 2, Zamar 0, Lassiter 0, Comboy 0, Gamalinda 0, Sena 0.

Quarters: 15-23; 45-36; 67-55; 97-79.