SAN Miguel moved one victory away from a PBA Finals rematch with TNT after defeating Barangay Ginebra, 115-109, on Wednesday in Game Five of their Philippine Cup semifinals playoff at the Smart-Araneta Coliseum.
The Beermen got a boost from June Mar Fajardo and Marcio Lassiter offensively following subpar outings in Game Four then survived a last-gasp comeback bid from Ginebra to gain a 3-2 lead in the best-of-seven series.
San Miguel can wrap up the series - and set up a grudge match with TNT - with one more win in the lone Game 6 on Friday, also at the Big Dome. TNT made it to the finals first after a 99-96 win and a 4-1 series victory over Meralco.
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After two nights where he only scored in single digits, Fajardo topscored again for the Beermen with 21 points to go along with 11 rebounds.
Lassiter, held scoreless in Game 4, had 16 points including 13 in the final quarter where San Miguel posted its biggest lead at 17 points.
Cjay Perez had 20 points, Mo Tautuaa had 18 points, and Don Trollano had 13 markers. Chris Ross added nine points, eight assists, three steals, and two blocks in another show of depth for the Beermen.
“That’s the effort that we are looking for,” said San Miguel coach Leo Austria. “If you compare our other games, there’s a lot of difference. This time around, a lot of players stepped up on defense and we were able to stop their bench.
Fajardo had four straight points, Lassiter scored on a lay-up, and the Beermen erected their biggest lead at 101-84.
After trailing, 111-98, Barangay Ginebra was able to slice the game to 111-109, on a three-point shot by RJ Abarrientos with 13.4 seconds left. Perez missed two free throws on the next possession, but SMB was able to grab the offensive rebound thanks to the hustle of Chris Ross with Fajardo sinking the two charities this tie with 8.3 seconds for a 113-109 advantage.
Scottie Thompson had 20 points, seven rebounds, seven assists, three steals, and one block, while Abarrientos had 18 points and six rebounds, although second stringers Jayson David was limited to seven points and Norbert Torres five, all of which in the fourth quarter.
The scores:
San Miguel 115 – Fajardo 21, Perez 20, Tautuaa 18, Lassiter 16, Trollano 13, Ross 9, Cruz 8, Brondial 5, Cahilig 5, Rosales 0, Tiongson 0.
Barangay Ginebra 109 – Thompson 20, Abarrientos 18, Holt 17, J. Aguilar 16, Gray 8, Cu 8, David 7, R. Aguilar 6, Torres 5, Pinto 3, Rosario 1.
Quarters: 25-26; 58-49; 90-78; 115-109.
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