(PBA image)
Defending champion San Miguel Beermen moved to within one win of another championship run — and a possible finals “Last Dance” with old rival TNT Tropang 5G — after grinding out a 115–109 victory over the Barangay Ginebra San Miguel in Game Five of their PBA Season 50 Philippine Cup semifinals Wednesday night at Smart Araneta Coliseum.
San Miguel seized control with blistering runs in the second and third quarters, then withstood a furious Ginebra rally in the closing minutes to take a 3–2 lead in the best-of-seven series. The Beermen now have two chances to close it out, starting with Game Six on Friday at the Big Dome.
June Mar Fajardo, battling through an injury, once again anchored the Beermen with a commanding 21-point, 11-rebound performance. CJ Perez poured in 20 points, Mo Tautuaa delivered 18 markers and nine boards, while Marcio Lassiter drilled four triples on his way to 16 points. Don Trollano added timely offense off the bench with 13.
Still, it was the hustle and nerve of Chris Ross that helped steady San Miguel when Ginebra threatened to steal the game late. Ross finished with nine points, eight assists, three rebounds, three steals and two blocks in over 30 minutes, repeatedly making the right play under pressure.
“We know Ginebra’s fighting spirit. Hindi puwedeng maliitin ang never-say-die nila,” said San Miguel coach Leo Austria. “They were down 17 and still came back. That’s why we have to be ready every possession.”
Ginebra nearly flipped the script in the final three minutes, trimming a 12-point deficit to just two, 111–109, behind relentless pressure and quick buckets. But the Beermen answered with key defensive stops and steady free throws to preserve the win and move to the doorstep of the finals.
“We know they’re not just going to lay down,” Ross said. “On Friday, the crowd will be rocking, and we have to play our best.”
The stakes are clear. Earlier in the night, TNT clinched the first finals berth after edging Meralco, 99–96, to wrap up their series, setting the stage for a potential blockbuster showdown should San Miguel finish the job.
“That’s the effort we’re looking for,” Austria said. “Compared to last game, a lot of guys stepped up, especially in the crunch.”
Game Six now looms as a defining night — either San Miguel completes the mission, or Ginebra forces one more war in a rivalry that refuses to fade quietly.
Final score
San Miguel 115 — Fajardo 21, Perez 20, Tautuaa 18, Lassiter 16, Trollano 13, Ross 9, Cruz 8, Brondial 5, Cahilig 5
Ginebra 109 — Thompson 20, Abarrientos 18, Holt 17, J. Aguilar 16, Cu 8, Gray 8, David 7, R. Aguilar 6, Torres 5, Pinto 3, Rosario 1
Quarter scores: 25–26, 58–49, 90–78, 115–109