SAN Miguel was the first to reach the PBA Philippine Cup Finals following a four-game sweep of Rain or Shine in their best-of-seven semifinals series.
The reigning and defending champion crawled their way back from a huge 19-point deficit to break the hearts of the Elasto Painters, 107-100, in the Game 4 win at the Mall of Asia Arena that gave them the first finals berth.
READ SMB wipes out 19-point deficit, completes sweep of Rain or Shine
The Beermen can now sit back and relax for a while as they await to know who their championship opponent will be between No. 2 seed Barangay Ginebra and third seed Meralco.
The other semifinals pairing is currently tied at 2-2 after the Kings leaned on a strong start to finish even stronger, 90-71, against a Bolts team that could only shoot a paltry 31 percent from the floor.
Ginebra and Meralco play Game 5 of their series on Sunday also at the MoA Arena.
Meanwhile, listed down are the takeaways in Game 4 of the semifinals:
SMB HEAVY FAVORITE TO GO ALL THE WAY
Given the way it swept a young, hard-fighting Rain or Shine side in their own best-of-seven series, the top seeded Beermen are favored to retain their title and win a record 30th championship in Asia’s pioneering pro league. San Miguel flaunted its heavy artillery in the series-clinching win against the Elasto Painters when it clawed its way back from a 78-59 deficit midway through the third quarter and completed a four-game romp. Don Trollano, Jericho Cruz, and Jeron Teng rallied the Beermen back, before seven-time MVP June Mar Fajardo and CJ Perez put the finishing touches. The proud franchise is certainly going to the finals refreshed and well-rested with at the very least a week's break - and longer if the Ginebra-Meralco semis reaches a Game 7.
MAMUYAC A RISING STAR FOR RAIN OR SHINE
Gian Mamuyac made the most out of Rain or Shine’s first semifinals stint in five years by becoming another go-to-guy for the Elasto Painters at crunch time. The shooting guard out of Ateneo exploded for 30 points in a second career-best output that went for naught as the team lost Game 4 on Friday. Mamuyac also starred when Rain or Shine finished off TNT in their quarterfinals series by scoring 25 points to earn the franchise a place in the semis for the first time since the 2019 Philippine Cup. After Leonard Santillan and Andrei Caracut, coach Yeng Guiao has found another reliable scoring option in ‘Mamu.’
JUST LIKE OLD TIMES FOR L.A.
Though less explosive and perhaps a step slower, LA Tenorio remains the heart and soul of this Ginebra team. When the chips were down for the Kings in their semis series against the Bolts, coach Tim Cone reached out to his ever reliable team captain for help, and the 39-year-old guard responded the best way he could. Tenorio finished with seven points, four rebounds, and six assists - numbers that paled in comparison to his production during his peak years, but enough to lift the spirit of his beloved team as his veteran presence and leadership guided the Kings to a lopsided 90-71 win and reduced their series to a best-of-three. Tenorio’s play could well become the barometer of whether Ginebra can make the finals or not.
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