MANILA – San Miguel Beermen surged in the second half to manhandle Barangay Ginebra San Miguel Kings and dominate 132-94 Game 3 of their 2018 PBA Commissioner’s Cup Final series on Wednesday night at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
After a close 53-51 lead at the half, Beermen opened the third quarter with 9 straight points from Renaldo Balkman and June Mar Fajardo for a 62-51 advantage.
Kings responded with baskets from Justin Brownlee to come to within 60-64 but Chris Ross uncorked three straight triples for a 73-64 lead before Balkman scored at will against the lousy Ginebra defense, allowing Beermen to widen the lead further 92-72.
Beermen pounded on Kings further in the final quarter, forcing multiple turnovers that led to baskets from Balkman, Fajardo, Christian Standhardinger, and Arwind Santos. All these and a triple from Kelly Nabong gave San Miguel its largest lead in the game 129-91.
Balkman top-scored with double-double 28 points and 11 rebounds for the defending champion. Ross added 23 markers, including seven 3-point conversions, while Fajardo chipped in 22 points.
During Game 2 on Sunday Beermen made Kings eat dust as it blazed a trail 134-109 en route to tying the series 1-1, avenging its 99-127 loss in Game 1.
Last night Kings had the early advantage 21-17 with baskets from Brownlee, LA Tenorio and Joe Devance but Beermen leaned on the outside shots of Ross to take a 30-27 advantage.
Beermen surged to a 36-31 lead in the second period on inside hits from Fajardo. Kings got baskets from Mark Caguioa and Kevin Ferrer to take a 51-47 lead before Beermen answered with shots from Balkman and Ross for a 53-51 halftime lead.
Brownlee was the lone bright spot for Kings with double-double 28 points and 11 rebounds. Caguioa added 12 markers, with 10 coming in the second quarter./PN
