The stage is set for pivotal Game 4 battles in the PBA Season 50 Philippine Cup semifinals this Sunday, January 11, 2026, at the SM Mall of Asia Arena. Both the defending champion San Miguel Beermen and the TNT Tropang 5G are positioned to seize commanding 3-1 series leads, putting immense pressure on their respective opponents.
Beermen Ride Momentum, Gin Kings Seek Answers
Fresh off a crucial victory, the San Miguel Beermen carry positive momentum into their clash against Barangay Ginebra. The Beermen's win in Game 3 was a testament to their depth, as Don Trollano erupted for 33 points to shoulder the scoring load. This performance was vital, as the team's usual top contributor, June Mar Fajardo, was held to a mere six points, far below his series averages of 24 points and 23 rebounds.
Trollano revealed his aggressive mindset was key. "Game 1 and Game 2 I wasn't playing good. The mindset for Game 3 was just to play my game, be aggressive and take the shot when I'm open," he stated.
Facing a potential 1-3 deficit, Ginebra head coach Tim Cone was candid about his team's need for a drastic improvement. "We battled and fought all night. We just didn't play a good game," Cone admitted after Friday's loss. He pinpointed a lack of composure and clarity as major issues: "We lacked poise, we lacked an idea of what we wanted to do out there. We looked confused at times."
Meralco Fights Back, TNT Aims to Regroup
In the other semifinal pairing, the Meralco Bolts successfully avoided a deep 0-3 hole by securing their first win against TNT Tropang 5G. The Bolts claimed a 97-89 wire-to-wire victory in Game 3, a strong response to their lopsided defeat in the previous game. The win trimmed their series deficit to 1-2.
The duo of Chris Banchero and CJ Cansino led the charge, each scoring 18 points. Meralco coach Luigi Trillo emphasized a collective effort was behind the turnaround. "They've been manhandling us the last two games so just everybody, from the coaching staff to the players, just came together and tried to make it a little hard for them," Trillo explained.
Now, the onus is on TNT Tropang 5G to bounce back and reclaim control of the series. A win in Game 4 would restore their two-game cushion and move them within one victory of the finals.
High Stakes at MOA Arena
The outcomes of Sunday's double-header will dramatically shape the landscape of the PBA Philippine Cup finals. A 3-1 lead is historically a powerful advantage in a best-of-seven series, often proving insurmountable. Both the Beermen and Tropang 5G have a clear opportunity to apply that pressure, while Ginebra and Meralco are fighting to turn their series into a virtual best-of-three affair. All eyes will be on the hardcourt at the SM Mall of Asia Arena as these four powerhouse teams write the next chapter of this historic Season 50.
