SAN Miguel grabbed the lead for the first time in the PBA 49th Season Philippine Cup semifinals, holding off Barangay Ginebra, 103-92, on Friday at the Smart-Araneta Coliseum.
The Beermen fought off a flat start and a deficit that reached as high as 14 points in a grind-out contest to become the first back-to-back winners of the best-of-seven series.
Cjay Perez had 31 points, while Jericho Cruz added 27 points to bring SMB one victory away from a Philippine Cup finals appearance. If they do so, they will dispatch of the Gin Kings who finished runner-up in the past two conferences.
Game 6 is on Sunday still at the Smart-Araneta Coliseum.
“I told the boys that we have to win because Game 5 is really pivotal. Usually, nananalo ng Game 5, malaki ang chance to get into the finals. But still, we have a lot of work because alam natin na ang kalaban natin, ‘never say die,’” said San Miguel coach Leo Austria.
The Beermen only scored 12 points in the first quarter, but quickly turned the tide after a 37-24 second quarter with Cruz also responsible for 11 of the team’s points in the second period.
Cruz’s scoring effort was his third-best of his career, according to PBA statistics chief Fidel Mangonon.
Perez also took command in the fourth quarter with 12 in the period. His three with 3:26 left in the fourth led to a 93-88 lead to pull away after San Miguel’s lead was cut down to two, the closest Barangay Ginebra got into the game.
June Mar Fajardo also sustained his respectable performance despite a calf injury he sustained in Game 1 as he had 14 points, 12 rebounds, and three blocks for San Miguel.
The Gin Kings moved one defeat closer from losing an opportunity for redemption after being on the losing end of TNT’s two championships this season.
Maverick Ahanmisi had 19 points, while Scottie Thompson finished with 14 points and nine rebounds. San Miguel also survived the hard-nosed play of Troy Rosario after he ended up with 11 points and 16 rebounds.
Ginebra also had to deal with foul troubles to Japeth Aguilar after he got five. He had 12 points but only grabbed three rebounds.
The scores:
San Miguel 103 – Perez 31, Cruz 27, Fajardo 14, Trollano 11, Tiongson 6, Teng 4, Lassiter 3, Tautuaa 3, Brondial 2, Rosales 2, Ross 0.
Barangay Ginebra 92 – Ahanmisi 19, Thompson 14, Malonzo 13, J. Aguilar 12, Rosario 11, Holt 10, David 7, Abarrientos 6, R. Aguilar 0, Gray 0.
Quarters: 12-20; 49-44; 74-71; 103-92.
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