ANTIPOLO – Christian Standhardinger led Barangay Ginebra to the early lead in the 2023 PBA Governors’ Cup semifinals, defeating San Miguel, 121-112, on Friday at the Ynares Center.
Ginebra vs San Miguel Game 1 recap
Standhardinger dominated the paint for the Gin Kings against the June Mar Fajardo-less Beermen, tallying 33 points and 10 rebounds in Game One. The statistical leader for the Best Player of the Conference had 18 points that enabled Ginebra to take a 62-47 halftime lead.
Justin Brownlee and Jamie Malonzo also contributed after Ginebra weathered the storm following a rally by San Miguel to clinch the 1-0 lead in their best-of-five series.
Ginebra also won days after team captain LA Tenorio announced that he is battling Stage Three colon cancer. Tenorio showed up for Game One and served as part of the coaching staff.
Malonzo had 27 points including a couple of highlight plays in the first half, while Brownlee had 24 points, 12 rebounds, and six assists.
The De La Salle alum also had a slam during an 11-0 stretch that enabled Ginebra to get a 62-45 lead late in the second quarter.
Barangay Ginebra coach Tim Cone said there is still a lot of work to do after San Miguel was able to overcome a 21-point deficit.
SMB opened the fourth with a 15-0 run to tie the game at 95, only for Standhardinger and Malonzo to combine for 17 points in the fourth to take command.
“We won the game so I guess we played well overall. But we had some bad stretches where we didn’t play well, played a little flat. We have to figure that one out and make sure that it won’t happen again. This team is too good,” said Cone.
Cameron Clark had 26 points and nine rebounds, while CJ Perez and Marcio Lassiter had 23 and 20 points apiece for the Beermen, who will look to tie the series on Sunday at the Ynares Center.
The scores:
Barangay Ginebra 121 – Standhardinger 33, Malonzo 27, Brownlee 24, Thompson 15, Gray 12, Pringle 7, Pinto 3, Pessumal 0.
San Miguel 112 – Clark 26, Perez 23, Lassiter 20, Cruz 13, Tautuaa 11, Manuel 10, Enciso 3, Bulanadi 3, Herndon 3, Ross 0, Brondial 0.
Quarters: 25-22; 62-47; 95-80; 121-112.
Get more of the latest sports news & updates on SPIN.ph
NOTICE ON UNAUTHORIZED AND UNLAWFUL USE, PUBLICATION, AND/OR DISSEMINATION OF SPIN.PH CONTENT: Please be notified that any unauthorized and unlawful use, publication, and/or dissemination of Spin.ph’s content and/or materials is a direct violation of its legal and exclusive rights to the same, and shall be subject to appropriate legal action/s.
