San Miguel got lucky enough to escape Ginebra, 83-81, in a thrilling PBA Season 50 Philippine Cup encounter at the Coca-Cola Arena in Dubai.
The Beermen found themselves in danger when the Kings stole their inbound and got themselves an opportunity to steal the game. However, Scottie Thompson’s try from deep only hit the back iron — much to the reigning champs’ relief.
By getting past their rivals, Coach Leo Austria & Co. have now won back-to-back games for the first time in this conference and improved to 2-2.
(C) PBA Images
June Mar Fajardo led the way with 17 points and 16 rebounds, and came through in the closing seconds. His wide-open layup upped their lead to seven, 82-75, with 20.3 seconds to go, giving them enough cushion to hang on.
JM Calma, CJ Perez, and Juami Tiongson all delivered 10 points apiece for San Miguel, which actually led by as many as 14. But they needed to hold off the Gin Kings in a thrilling clash that marked the PBA’s return to the Emirati city after six years.
Serving as their ‘magic bunot,’ though, was Kris Rosales. He knocked down two crucial threes during the fourth — none bigger than the one that pushed their lead to 79-72 with 1:55 left as he helped keep Ginebra at bay.
Still, the crowd darlings tried what they could behind outside hits courtesy of Stephen Holt and Thompson, and even posed a legitimate threat.
But the Beermen would not be denied, and have seemingly figured things out among themselves after a rough start to their title defense bid.
(C) PBA Images
The Barangay, on the other hand, have slumped since beating TNT, 92-77, last October 15. They fell to their second loss in a row and are now at 1-3.
According to league stats chief Fidel Mangonon III, the last time that Ginebra started a conference like this was in the 2018 Commissioner’s Cup.
Japeth Aguilar led the Kings with 20 points and 12 rebounds. RJ Abarrientos had 17 points behind five treys, including the one that put his side ahead at 46-44 during the third before San Miguel regained the upper hand for good.
Thompson added 15 points, nine rebounds, and seven assists in the loss, which is also the franchise’s second straight in Dubai.
It also bowed to NLEX in an overtime classic, 113-111, during their 2019 Governors’ Cup duel.
The Scores:
San Miguel 83 – Fajardo 17, Tiongson 10, Perez 10, Calma 10, Rosales 8, Trollano 7, Teng 6, Lassiter 5, Tautuaa 4, Ross 3, Cahilig 3, Brondial 0.
Ginebra 81 – Aguilar 20, Abarrientos 17, Thompson 15, Holt 9, Torres 6, Rosario 6, David 5, Pinto 2, Estil 1, Gray 0.
Quarterscores: 24-16, 40-30, 61-53, 83-81.
