The San Miguel Beermen are just one win away from locking the Perpetual Trophy in the heart of Ortigas
Led by the sizzling backcourt duo of Chris Ross and Marcio Lassiter, the San Miguel Beermen drained a PBA Finals record 15 three-pointers to torch the Barangay Ginebra San Miguel, 94-85, and take a 3-1 series lead, Friday evening at the SMART-Araneta Coliseum in Cubao, Quezon City.
Ross and Lassiter knocked down eight triples in the game, with the former scoring 17 points and nine assists in the game, while the latter scoring a team-high 20 points on 8-of-13 shooting.
Behind arguably the best starting five in the league, the Beermen raced to an early 20-2 lead to start the game and led by as much as 26 points, 60-34, after a Lassiter triple with 10:38 still left in the third frame.
“I think the key here is our good start. Any time we have a good start, so many things can happen especially on our offense,” Austria remarked. “Makikita niyo in the first quarter, nagkaroon sila ng kumpyansang tumira sa labas. We’re lucky kasi even Chris Ross, mukhang siya ang shooter e kesa kay [Alex] Cabagnot and kay Lassiter. But I’m happy to see him knocking down those shots.”
The lead went to as low as seven points, 92-85, with 1:17 left after an Aljon Marion lay-in, but Ginebra missed their last two attempts, while Mark Caguioa committed two costly turnovers down the stretch.
“We had some lapses, especially start of fourth. We were not able to stop JDV at the post and Arwind got really tired. Buti na lang, we were leading by 26, 27 points. Nagkaroon kami ng pondo. I think it’s a good game,” added Austria.
Moreover, June Mar Fajardo, who had been crowned as the Best Player of the Conference before the game started, scored eight of his 20 points in the final frame to help keep Ginebra at bay.
“June Mar, when he gets the ball in the post, he’s looking to make a pass. Nagma-mature na siya slowly. In the fourth quarter, when we need some points, he’s forcing his man to defend him. Very evident he can dominate. It’s a matter of time, or timing, for him to fully mature,” Austria said about Fajardo, who also grabbed 13 rebounds and two blocks.
Joe Devance played his best game in a Ginebra uniform with 22 points on 9-of-12 shooting to go along with six rebounds. LA Tenorio and Japeth Aguilar each supplied 12 points to back him up.
Despite the series lead, Austria still remains wary of Tim Cone and Ginebra, saying that their opponents are capable of coming back from the deficit. However, he hopes that SMB can finish it off on Sunday.
“3-1 is a commanding lead, but we’re not sure yet. Coach Tim is a good coach. He has been in this situation. We have been in this situation so the possibility is still there,” said Austria. “We’re facing a great coach, a tough team supported by a large crowd. Anything can happen.
“I hope na matapos na ‘to dahil everybody is really tired – players, fans, media. We need some rest cause second conference is two weeks away.”
San Miguel shot 48 percent from the floor, negating the 24-7 advantage Ginebra had in second chance points.
San Miguel can clinch their third straight Philippine Cup crown on Sunday, March 5, at the SMART-Araneta Coliseum
The Scores:
San Miguel (94) – Fajardo 20, Lassiter 20, Ross 17, Cabagnot 13, Santos 8, Tubid 8, De Ocampo 5, Espinas 3, Heruela 0.
Ginebra (85) – Devance 22, Aguilar 12, Tenorio 12, Ellis 10, Thompson 7, Ferrer 6, Mercado 6, Marcelo 4, Caguioa 3, Mariano 2, Cruz 1, Taha 0.
Quarterscores: 30-18, 55-34, 76-63, 94-85.
