The San Miguel Beermen (SMB) have successfully tied their PBA Season 49 Philippine Cup semifinals series against Ginebra at two games apiece.
The perennial league powerhouse refused to go down 1-3 after they dominated the Barangay Ginebra San Miguel Kings, 107-82, during their Game 4 faceoff at the Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City.
CJ Perez top-scored for the Beermen with 19 points on top of seven assists and five rebounds, while the hobbled June Mar Fajardo still managed to finish with a 12-point, 19-rebound game.
“The energy of the team was really high, we were able to match up their energy, and a lot of our perimeter shooting went in,” said Beermen head coach Leo Austria after the contest.
“Our defense is one thing na binigyan namin ng pansin. We limited their assists, so that means na our defense is working. It’s very evident kanina ‘yung different energy at concentration nila kanina,” he added.
Meanwhile, Fajardo credited his teammates for powering the 17-0 third-quarter charge which allowed them to break away from the Gin Kings.
“Lahat ng pinasok ni coach, nag-step up, dahil kailangan naming ipanalo ‘tong game na ‘to kasi mahirap na ‘pag na-down ng 3-1,” he said.
Aside from Perez and Fajardo, four other Beermen finished in double digits.
Juami Tiongson delivered 14 markers, Jericho Cruz and Rodney Brondial both scored 12, while Don Trollano ended the game with 11 points.
San Miguel was earlier trailing 58-56 in the third canto, but they went on to score 17 straight points which featured a barrage of baskets from Perez, Tiongson and Brondial for a 73-58 lead.
Jamie Malonzo hit a couple of treys in the fourth to try to give Ginebra some life back, but his teammates fired blanks, only shooting 6-of-15, and the Beermen took advantage of this to eventually tie the series.
Troy Rosario finished with 14 to lead the Gin Kings, while Malonzo, Scottie Thompson and Japeth Aguilar, followed with 12, 11 and 10, respectively.
Unfortunately, these weren’t enough for Ginebra to maintain their momentum, and they will now look to bounce back come Game 5 on Friday, July 4, 7:30 p.m., at the Araneta Coliseum in Cubao, Quezon City. (ABS-CBN News)