PBA Semifinals Preview: San Miguel out to sustain might against Ginebra

San Miguel has always been the golden standard in the PBA Philippine Cup.

With June Mar Fajardo in tow, the Beermen keep their identity as they aim to defend their title in the ongoing Season 50 All-Filipino conference.

After a 0-2 start to the conference, San Miguel beat one foe after another, riding on a 10-game winning streak to find themselves in the semifinals together with Ginebra, TNT and Meralco.

There, they will face the Gin Kings in a best-of-seven series which begins Sunday, Jan. 4.

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Road to the playoffs

San Miguel got an early wake-up call after falling to the Road Warriors and Phoenix to start the conference.

It did not take long before the team got its act together.

San Miguel restarted with a 111-93 win over Rain or Shine as it beat the rest of its foes in the elims, rediscovering its championship form to soar to the top of the standings behind a sizzling nine-game winning streak.

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Then in the quarterfinals, the No. 1 seed Beermen imposed their might, utilizing their twice-to-beat advantage to the hilt to dispose of eighth-ranked NLEX, 101-94, to book the first semis ticket.

Last meeting vs. the Gin Kings

The last time San Miguel and Ginebra met, the former prevailed, 83-81, in Dubai in the elimination round.

The Beermen led by as many as 14 points in the first half and did just enough to hack out their then second win.

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San Miguel and Ginebra first square off in the penultimate stage on Jan. 4 at the Smart Araneta Coliseum in Cubao.

Match tips off at 7:30 p.m.

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Like most sportswriters, Jan Ballesteros once dreamed of becoming a professional hooper. But he learned the hard way that it’s not for everyone.

He continues to be involved in the sport he loves, but this time as a member of the PBA Press Corps. Aside from primarily covering the PBA, he is also assigned to cover Gilas Pilipinas.