MANILA – San Miguel Beermen leaned on a dominant second half performance to defeat Barangay Ginebra San Miguel Kings, 131-121, in Game 4 of the PBA Governors’ Cup semifinals on Wednesday night at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
June Mar Fajardo led the way with 29 points, on 12-of-15 field goal shooting, to go with 16 rebounds to be named Player of the Game as the Beermen tied the best-of-seven series at 2-2.
“Thankful ako sa mga teammates ko, and sa mga coaches, kasi ‘yun ‘yung adjustment namin in this game, hinahanap ako ng teammates ko, pinapasahan ako sa ilalim,” Fajardo said. “Pero nag-step up talaga ‘yung buong team.”
From a slim 62-56 lead at the half, the Beermen started strong in the third quarter behind inside conversions from Fajardo and reinforcement Ejimofor Anosike to establish a 99-85 advantage.
The Beermen continued their dominant offense in the fourth quarter, stretching the advantage to 104-99 before the Gin Kings managed to cut the deficit to as low as 10 points.
Anosike chipped in 27 markers, Jaymar Perez finished with 20 points, Marcio Lassiter and Celedonio Trollano ended with 15 markers, while Terrence Romeo had 14 for the Beermen.
“I just challenged them during our practice that we have to come out stronger in this game, to bring a lot of effort, to bring a lot of energy, and they responded really well,” said Beermen head coach Jorge Gallent.
“Kudos to them, they really played their hearts out, and they showed that they really want to win, I hope that we continue to play this way in the remaining games of this series,” he added.
Justin Brownlee led the way for the Gin Kings with 49 points, Stephen Holt added 17 markers, while Earl Scottie Thompson, Japeth Aguilar, and Rhon Jhay Abarrinetos had 15, 12, and 11, respectively./ PN
BOX SCORE:
SAN MIGUEL 131 – Fajardo 29, Anosike 27, Perez 20, Lassiter 15, Trollano 15, Romeo 14, Cruz 8, Ross 3.
GINEBRA 121 – Brownlee 49, Holt 17, Thompson 15, J.Aguilar 12, Abarrientos 11, Ahanmisi 5, Tenorio 5, Pinto 3, Adamos 2, Devance 2, Cu 0.
Quarterscores: 34-28, 62-56, 99-85, 131-121.
