Chris Ross made an impact in San Miguel’s Game 5 win over Ginebra that gave it a 3-2 lead in their PBA Season 50 Philippine Cup semifinal tussle.
Well aware that his PBA days are numbered, Chris Ross has always poured his all whenever his number’s called.
That was none more evident in San Miguel’s 115-109 win over Ginebra in Game 5 of the PBA Season 50 Philippine Cup semifinals Wednesday, Jan. 14.
“Honestly, I don’t know how much longer I’m going to be playing, so I don’t take each game for granted. I play each game as if it’s my last. I play with my heart,” said Ross after the match at the Smart Araneta Coliseum in Cubao.
“You can hate it or love it, but I will play each game like it’s my last. I will play with my heart, and let the cards fall where they fall.”
[RELATED STORY: June Mar Fajardo slowly regains might as San Miguel moves a win away from PBA Finals]
Ross finished with just nine points, but he made some big plays down the stretch, particularly his save after Cjay Perez botched two free throws to keep the possession alive.
June Mar Fajardo and Marcio Lassiter went on to ice the game with two freebies, and San Miguel moved a win away from a return trip to the Finals with a 3-2 lead.
Before that, the Beermen needed to endure a furious Ginebra rally that saw the Gin Kings fight back from a 17-point deficit.
[ALSO READ: ‘Never give up’ mantra allows TNT to snatch Game 5 from Bolts, book PBA Finals ticket]
After being down 90-107, Ginebra went on a 19-4 tear, capped by a smooth RJ Abarrientos stepback trey to close in, 109-111.
But that turned out to be the Gin Kings' last field goal.
Chris Ross is named Player of the Game after helping San Miguel rise to a 3-2 advantage over Ginebra in the PBA semifinals. | Photo: RM Chua/One Sports
Still bothered by a shoulder injury, Fajardo atoned for his sloppy offensive performance the last two games with 21 points, 11 rebounds, two assists and a block.
Cjay Perez fired 20 points, Mo Tautuaa had 18 markers and nine boards, while Lassiter added 16 points on four triples.
Game 4 hero Scottie Thompson paced Ginebra with 20 points, seven rebounds, seven assists, three steals, and a block, but could not help the crowd favorites get over the hump this time.
Abarrientos also did it all with 18 points, five rebounds, seven assists, and three steals, Stephen Holt wound up with 17 markers, six boards, three dimes and a swipe, while Japeth Aguilar submitted 16 points.
San Miguel and Ginebra Scores:
San Miguel 115 – Fajardo 21, Perez 20, Tautuaa 18, Lassiter 16, Trollano 13, Ross 9, Cruz 8, Brondial 5, Cahilig 5, Tiongson 0, Rosales 0
Ginebra 109 – Thompson 20, Abarrientos 18, Holt 17, J.Aguilar 16, Cu 8, Gray 8, David 7, R.Aguilar 6, Torres 5, Pinto 3, Rosario 1
Quarterscores: 25-26, 58-49, 90-78, 115-109
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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.