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Barangay Ginebra holds Best Player of the Conference frontrunner June Mar Fajardo to a single-digit scoring performance as it completes a come-from-behind win over San Miguel in Game 1 of their PBA Philippine Cup semifinals
MANILA, Philippines – Barangay Ginebra capitalized on the one of the rare times San Miguel star June Mar Fajardo scored in single digits to draw first blood in the PBA Philippine Cup semifinals.
The Gin Kings limited Fajardo to just 6 points and completed a come-from-behind 73-71 win over the Beermen in the opener of their best-of-seven clash at the Mall of Asia Arena on Wednesday, June 25.
Fajardo had a chance to give San Miguel the lead when they were trailing 71-72 with under 10 seconds left only to be blocked by Japeth Aguilar as the Best Player of the Conference frontrunner shot just 3-of-10 from the field.
It was the only block of the game for J. Aguilar, who produced 18 points, 9 rebounds, and 2 assists to lead Ginebra in its fightback from 18 points down.
“We did a herculean effort tonight on defense just trying to hold them down, but our offense could not keep pace,” said Gin Kings head coach Tim Cone as Ginebra matched its lowest scoring output of the tournament.
“But hopefully, we smoothen things out.”
The Gin Kings fell behind 25-43 midway through the second quarter after a 14-0 Beermen run powered by 9 points from Jericho Cruz, who sank a four-point shot, a pair of free throws, and a three-pointer during that stretch.
But Ginebra chipped away at its deficit, tying the game at 60-60 early in the fourth quarter off a Raymond Aguilar bucket then seizing the upper hand at 70-69 following a Stephen Holt trey with over two minutes left.
San Miguel regained the lead after a CJ Perez layup, which was countered by two Troy Rosario free throws that gave the Gin Kings a 72-71 edge.
Rosario, who had 7 points, 9 rebounds, and 5 assists, also made another key play in the dying seconds after Jamie Malonzo missed a pair of free throws, tapping the ball out of bounds off CJ Perez to retain possession for Ginebra.
Fouled by Perez, Holt settled the final tally with a free throw.
“We just battled. We did not play great, we did not shoot great, we did not even defend that great,” said Cone.
“It is only one game. We got to be playing better than this as the series goes for us to have a chance. It is nice to always get the lead in a series.”
Scottie Thompson backstopped J. Aguilar with 16 points and 8 rebounds, while Malonzo put up 14 points, 5 rebounds, 3 assists, and 2 steals.
R. Aguilar made the most of his 8:30 minutes on the floor, contributing 6 points and 1 rebound.
Fajardo added 19 rebounds, but his limited scoring production hampered the Beermen, who were held to under 80 points for the first time this conference.
Going into the semifinals, San Miguel averaged 108 points.
Perez posted 21 points and 7 rebounds, while Cruz and Tiongson chalked up 12 points each in the loss.
The Scores
Barangay Ginebra 73 – J. Aguilar 18, Thompson 16, Malonzo 14, Rosario 7, R. Aguilar 6, Holt 4, Abarrientos 2, Pinto 2, Gray 2, Adamos 2, Ahanmisi 0, David 0.
San Miguel 71 – Perez 21, Tiongson 12, Cruz 12, Trollano 9, Fajardo 6, Ross 5, Cahilig 3, Lassiter 3, Brondial 0, Tautuaa 0, Calma 0
Quarters: 19-29, 37-45, 56-60, 73-71.
– Rappler.com
