Ginebra bucked a sloppy start and fought tooth and nail against San Miguel before hacking out a Game 1 win in the PBA Philippine Cup semifinals.
When nothing’s going on offense, Ginebra turned to defense.
And with that, the Gin Kings came away with a 73-71 win over San Miguel in their PBA Season 49 Philippine Cup semifinals opener at the Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay Wednesday, June 25.
In the dying seconds, Japeth Aguilar made a crucial swat on June Mar Fajardo before Stephen Holt sealed it with a split from the foul line.
While Game 1 went the Gin Kings' way, head coach Tim Cone found many aspects of their game wanting.
“We just battled tonight. We didn’t play great. We didn't shoot great. We didn’t defend great,” said Cone.
His charges went down by as many as 18 points, 25-43, in the first half, before rallying to turn it into a nip-and-tuck affair.
Holt nailed a booming trey with 2:03 remaining to snatch a 70-69 lead, but Cjay Perez was quick to answer with a high-looping layup to give the edge back to SMB.
But the Gin Kings moved ahead anew as Troy Rosario canned a pair of free throws for a 72-71 count with still 1:21 to go.
It was simply a defensive battle from there, with no team making a field goal within that stretch.
Jamie Malonzo attacks the basket during Game 1 of the PBA Philippine Cup semifinals. | Photo (c) RM Chua/One Sports
With Fajardo seemingly nursing a right calf injury, Japeth Aguilar made a living inside the paint and finished with 18 points, nine rebounds, two assists and a block.
Scottie Thompson battled through cramps and wound up with 16 points, eight rebounds, an assist and a steal, while Malonzo had 14 points, five rebounds, three assists and two steals.
“The bottom line is we found a way. But it’s only one game. We have to be better than this as the series goes,” said Cone.
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Meanwhile, Perez paced the Beermen with 21 points, seven rebounds and two assists.
Juami Tiongson and Jericho Cruz each scored 12, while Fajardo was limited to just six points but was still able to grab 19 boards.
Ginebra vs. San Miguel scores:
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.
Quarterscores: 19-29, 37-45, 56-60, 73-71.