(PBA image)
Back to square one, defending champion San Miguel Beer and fierce rival Barangay Ginebra reset the chessboard as their PBA Season 50 Philippine Cup semifinal turns into a true test of nerve, depth, and timing.
The Gin Kings struck first, riding the shot-making bravado of RJ Abarrientos to a 99-90 Game 1 win. Two nights later, the Beermen answered with authority, leaning on another bruising night from June Mar Fajardo and timely help from the supporting cast to take Game 2, 93-84. Just like that, the series is tied, the noise is louder, and the margin for error is thinner.
With the matchup now effectively a best-of-five, the rivals collide again Friday night at the Smart Araneta Coliseum. Whether this shapes up as a true seesaw battle or a pendulum swing remains to be seen, but one thing is clear: the pleasantries are over. Both teams have felt each other’s punches and know exactly what’s coming next.
“It’s a good thing we were able to tie the series,” said San Miguel coach Leo Austria. “Going down 0-2 is really hard, especially against a team like Ginebra.”
Ginebra’s identity has always been rooted in its never-say-die grit, but San Miguel carries a different kind of edge—the steady dominance of Fajardo. The nine-time MVP is on a rare tear, posting three straight games of at least 21 points and 20 rebounds dating back to the quarterfinals against the NLEX Road Warriors. Even then, it still caught some by surprise that Ginebra managed to take Game 1 despite Fajardo erupting for 27 points and 23 boards.
Game 2, however, was a reminder that San Miguel’s danger doesn’t end with The Kraken. Jeron Teng, Jericho Cruz, and Don Trollano sparked the Beermen’s response, with Teng delivering a 12-point burst in the fourth quarter while taking on the tough defensive assignment against Abarrientos.
“We know how tough Ginebra is, so we all have to play well to beat them,” Teng said, making the most of his opportunity after sitting out the opener.
Austria, for his part, praised Teng’s professionalism. “I told him to be ready. He stayed ready. No complaints. That’s what pros do.”
Game 1 belonged to Abarrientos. Game 2 leaned heavily toward Fajardo and San Miguel’s bench brigade. As the series tightens and adjustments pile up, the question heading into Game 3 feels inevitable.
Whose moment is next?
