MANILA – San Miguel Beermen turned things around in the fourth quarter to defeat Barangay Ginebra San Miguel Kings, 100-93, in the do-or-die Game 7 of PBA Philippine Cup semifinals on Wednesday night at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
June Mar Fajardo overcame an injury to finish with a double-double of 21 points and 19 rebounds, while Chris Ross turned in a vintage performance with 19 points, seven assists, four steals, and three rebounds for the Beermen.
Jaymar Perez also made his presence felt with 15 points, while Moala Tautuaa and Celedonio Trollano had 14 and 10 markers, respectively, for the Beermen, who wrapped up the best-of-seven title series at 4-3.
Down 62-73 late in the third quarter, the Beermen leaned on conversions from Ilonggo Jericho Cruz, Trollano, and Ross as they tied the score at 77-all before they surged to an 84-80 lead on a triple by Ross.
The Gin Kings still tried to keep the match close as they trail 84-88 before the Beermen went on a tear behind Fajardo and Ross to establish the largest advantage at 98-89.
Ginebra made their last push at 93-98 following a four-point shot by Jamie Malonzo with under a minute remaining, but two free throws by Ross sealed SMB’s finals seat.
“It’s very clear they never gave up especially in the fourth. They all realized they need to step up, and they did step up,” Beermen head coach Leo Austria said in a post-game interview.
The Beermen will now have a chance to stop the Grand Slam bid of TNT Tropang 5G at the start of the best-of-seven championship series on Sunday night at the same venue.
Malonzo top-scored for the Gin Kings with 22 points, Earl Scottie Thompson added 16 markers, Rhon Jay Abarrientos and Jeth Troy Rosario had 15 apiece, while Stephen Holt and Japeth Aguilar both finished with 12 points./PN
BOX SCORE:
SAN MIGUEL 100 – Fajardo 21, Ross 19, Perez 15, Tautuaa 14, Trollano 10, Tiongson 6, Brondial 6, Lassiter 5, Cruz 4.
GINEBRA 93 – Malonzo 22, Thompson 16, Abarrientos 15, Rosario 15, Holt 12, J. Aguilar 12, David 0, Ahanmisi 0, Tenorio 0.
Quarterscores: 17–23, 45–44, 66–73, 100–93.
