PBA: San Miguel escapes Ginebra rally in thriller to stay alive
San Miguel Beer reinforcement George King against Barangay Ginebra San Miguel in Game 3 of the PBA Season 50 Governors’ Cup Quarterfinals. PBA Images.MANILA — The San Miguel Beermen escaped Barangay Ginebra San Miguel in a Game 3 thriller, 101-98, to stay alive in the PBA Season 50 Governors’ Cup Quarterfinals on Tuesday at the Dasmariñas Arena.Scottie Thompson and RJ Abarrientos missed on their last-second attempts from long range, allowing the Beermen to avert a 15-point collapse and extend the series.
“Nag-step up lang talaga kaming lahat kasi alam naming do-or-die na ’to,” said Player of the Game June Mar Fajardo, who finished with 18 points, 13 rebounds, and one block.
George King tallied 21 points, 12 rebounds, and two assists, highlighted by a crucial three-pointer at the 3:41 mark of the fourth quarter as Ginebra mounted its comeback.
CJ Perez then iced the game from the foul line en route to 14 points, six rebounds, and five assists.
The Beermen will again look to live another day in the best-of-five affair when the series shifts to Game 4 on Friday at 5:15 p.m. at the Araneta Coliseum in Cubao.
San Miguel will hope to replicate its late-game poise, particularly on the defensive end, as it faces another do-or-die encounter.
Up by three with 17 seconds remaining, the Beermen forced Thompson into an awkward three-point attempt. Although the Gin Kings secured the offensive rebound, Abarrientos also missed a potential game-tying four-pointer at the buzzer.
Abarrientos paced Ginebra with 21 points, six rebounds, and three assists. Thompson added 14 points, eight assists, and seven rebounds, while Jordan Murphy posted 17 points, 17 rebounds, three blocks, and three assists.
San Miguel 101 — King 21, Fajardo 18, Perez 14, Lassiter 13, Trollano 8, Ahanmisi 8, Ross 7, Cruz 7, Bronidal 3, Teng 2, Tautuaa 0
Ginebra 98 — Abarrientos 21, Murphy 17, Go 17, Thompson 14, Gray 13, J.Aguilar 7, Rosario 6, Holt 3, Cu 0
Quarterscores: 23-18, 54-46, 79-74, 101-98.