The 2018 Commissioner’s Cup Finals has now gone in favor of the Barangay Ginebra San Miguel.
The crowd favorites are on the cusp of winning their first Commissioner’s Cup championship since 1997, as they pulled the rug from underneath the San Miguel Beermen, 87-83, Sunday night at a packed SMART Araneta Coliseum.
But even if the momentum has shifted their way, LA Tenorio remains wary of the defending champions.
“Alam naman natin San Miguel magaling din sa ganyan eh. We have a Never Say Die spirit pero merong ganun attitude din San Miguel with their history,” said the Barangay’s main floor general moments after the pulsating victory.
The 12-year pro was referring to the way the Beermen had won the 2016 Philippine Cup title. The Alaska Aces were just a win away from the crown, but the Beermen rose from the 0-3 deficit to steal the Milkmen’s thunder and win the gold.
That will always be remembered as the Beeracle run, which is considered as one of the greatest – if not the greatest – Finals comeback in league history.
The Gin Kings now have a chance to dethrone the Beermen in Game Six on Wednesday, August 8, at the SM Mall of Asia Arena. But for the 34-year-old, they have to view Game Six as a do-or-die match if they really want to finish the job.
“On Wednesday for sure, do-or-die game again for us. Yun dapat yung mindset namin against San Miguel. We can’t give them the chance na maglaro for Game Seven, mahirap. Mahirap talaga kalabanin San Miguel,” he said.
“‘Yun lang talaga lagi namin sinasabi, mahirap. If we have a chance to finish on Wednesday, we have to do it.”
