November 25, 2024

PBA: San Miguel, Meralco dispute crucial 3-2 lead in Game 5 of Philippine Cup Finals

PBA: San Miguel, Meralco dispute crucial 3-2 lead in Game 5 of Philippine Cup Finals
Don Trollano and Jansen Rios battle for the loose ball. Photo (c) Sherwin Vardeleon/One Sports

For the first time in the PBA Season 48 Philippine Cup Finals, San Miguel looked like the team that went 10-1 in the elimination round and swept Rain or Shine in the penultimate stage.

The Beermen set the tone early and shared the ball better on the way to a 111-101 Game 4 win over Meralco to tie the best-of-seven finale on Wednesday, June 12, at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.

Unlike in the previous three outings, San Miguel managed to go above its 107-point average against the Bolts’ airtight defense behind the season-high 28 points and 13 rebounds of newly-minted Best Player of the Conference June Mar Fajardo.

[ALSO READ: PBA: June Mar Fajardo cops 10th BPC award]

That’s why SMB coach Jorge Gallent couldn’t help but be pleased with how his wards responded after the heartbreaking Game 3 loss.

“We talked to one another and said that if we trust our teammates and we share the ball, the offense will come. It showed now,” said Gallent, whose team had 20 assists.

“It’s just the mindset of these players to trust one another and to share the ball. That’s the philosophy.”

Gallent and the Beermen hope to sustain this dominant form when they take on Meralco in Game 5 on Friday, June 14.

[ALSO READ: Spoiler Alert: Meralco deals San Miguel heartbreaks in past PBA crucial battles]

The match kicks off at 7:30pm at the Big Dome, with the winner taking the pivotal 3-2 lead in the race-to-four finale.

Though the Beermen appeared to have regained their deadly form, Meralco is unfazed.

“We will bounce back. We will be ready,” said Bolts coach Luigi Trillo. “All locked in. All ready. Better energy. More points of attack. We’ll get them ready on Friday.”

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