San Miguel nearly lost an 18-point lead but hung tough in the end to pick up its fourth straight win against Ginebra in the PBA Season 48 Philippine Cup.
San Miguel raced off to a scintillating start, sputtered towards the end, but did just enough to repulse Ginebra, 95-92, in the PBA Season 48 Philippine Cup at the Smart Araneta Coliseum in Cubao on Friday, April 5.
The Beermen thus notched their fourth win in as many games while handing the Gin Kings their second loss in five tries.
CJ Perez led San Miguel with a double-double of 18 points and 10 assists which he also laced with four rebounds and four steals. June Mar Fajardo followed suit as he collected 14 markers and 10 boards.
Don Trollano delivered in the final stages to collect 15 points while Mo Tautuaa and Terrence Romeo added 12 and 11 markers, respectively.
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Trollano and Jericho Cruz hit the crucial baskets as the Beermen survived a late-game uprising by Ginebra to preserve their immaculate record.
Trollano scored five points inside the last 3:31 capped with a three-pointer that kept Ginebra at arm’s length.
But the Gin Kings would not give up just yet as they struck behind Christian Standhardinger and Maverick Ahanmisi, with the latter uncorking a booming triple to inch closer, 91-93, with a little more than a minute to go.
Cruz then decided to drive against Jamie Malonzo on a broken play and scored the awkward left-handed layup that proved to be the difference.
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Even with the Ginebra faithful rallying behind them, the Gin Kings could not conjure some magic after that.
Maverick Ahanmisi paced Ginebra with 16 points and 10 rebounds. Stanley Pringle and Jamie Malonzo had 15 and 14 points, respectively.
The Scores:
SAN MIGUEL 95 – Perez 18, Trollano 15, Fajardo 14, Tautuaa 12, Romeo 11, Brondial 8, Cruz 8, Lassiter 6, Ross 3, Manuel 0, Enciso 0.
GINEBRA 92 – J.Aguilar 17, Ahanmisi 16, Pringle 15, Malonzo 14, Standhardinger 14, Tenorio 8, Onwubere 8, David 0, Gumaru 0, Cu 0, Pinto 0.
Quarterscores: 33-18, 56-50, 82-66, 95-92