San Miguel Beermen rejoice after beating Barangay Ginebra in Game 7 of the PBA Philippine Cup semifinals. –MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.net
The team that owns a Grand Slam will likely be the last squad TNT may have to hurdle in its own chase for the Philippine Basketball Association’s coveted triple crown.
San Miguel Beer rallied back to defeat Barangay Ginebra, 100-93, in Game 7 of the Philippine Cup semifinals late Wednesday at Araneta Coliseum to book a spot within the battle for the PBA’s most prestigious trophy.
HIGHLIGHTS: PBA Philippine Cup semifinals Game 7 – Ginebra vs San Miguel
“It’s very clear, they never gave up, especially within the last quarter,” coach Leo Austria said. “The mindset of the players was really positive.”
The Beermen forged a Finals showdown against the Tropang 5G, which can begin on Sunday at Smart Araneta Coliseum.
Veteran Chris Ross, Don Trollano, Jericho Cruz and Rodney Brondial provided the ample support for June Mar Fajardo and the Beermen weathered an 11-point deficit within the second half to beat a Gin Kings squad that was riding on the momentum of a dramatic Game 6 victory that forced the do-or-die affair.
But in front of 12,279 fans who predominantly cheered them on, Ginebra’s top guns did not forge a 3rd straight Finals duel vs TNT.
Shades of 2011
San Miguel Beermen’s Jericho Cruz celebrates after beating Barangay Ginebra in Game 7 of the PBA Philippine Cup semifinals. –MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.net
“Since we lost the last time, everybody was so embarrassed and frustrated since it was a sure win,” Austria said. “But basketball is a game of runs, and so they realized that even we lost, the prospect was still there.”
Ross, an important cog in a lot of San Miguel’s past championship runs, posted 19 points, three rebounds, seven assists and 4 steals while Fajardo, battling an injury throughout the series, had 21 points and 19 rebounds within the victory.
“I’m a competitor and never playing the last game hurt my feelings,” Ross said after the sport. “And seeing LA (Tenorio) do his thing, it was super-inspiring to me.”
Tenorio, the veteran Ginebra playmaker, nailed a game-winning triple that sent the series right into a deciding seventh game.
“I told coach that I would like to win,” Ross said. “I don’t care the way it’s done. I step as much as the plate. Nobody competes harder than me. Nobody plays harder than me.”
The Beermen’s victory also sets up a titanic clash between the flagship squads of rival conglomerates San Miguel Corp. and the MVP Group.
And so far as a Grand Slam is worried, there may be history between the 2 teams.
In 2011, TNT, then generally known as Talk ‘N Text, was on the verge of sweeping the season crowns when it was stopped by San Miguel (then generally known as Petron) in seven games within the Governors’ Cup.
The Beermen accomplished a Grand Slam in 1989 behind a powerhouse roster that included PBA greats Ramon Fernandez, Hector Calma, Samboy Lim and Ricardo Brown.