San Miguel shoots down Ginebra for 1-0 semis lead
San Miguel Beermen vs Ginebra Gin Kings. Photo by Tristan Tamayo/INQUIRER.net
Four-peat-seeking San Miguel drubbed last season’s runner-up Ginebra, 102-90, to take a 1-0 lead in the 2018 PBA Philippine Cup semifinals Friday at Smart Araneta Coliseum.
Arwind Santos helped the Beermen get a headstart in the best-of-7 series, going 5-of-8 from three to lead the mauling with 23 points and eight rebounds.
Marcio Lassiter also sizzled from downtown, going 5-of-11 to tally 17 markers, five boards, five assists, while Von Pessumal caught fire late to finish with 18 points on 4-of-5 three-point shooting along with three rebounds.
The trio accounted for the lion share’s of San Miguel’s 16-of-34 shooting from three that allowed them to methodically pull away from the Gin Kings.
“I think in a series, it’s very important to win your first game,” said coach Leo Austria. “If you’ll look at the history, the ones who win the first game has the bigger chance to advance. But we know that with this win, we cannot rest on our laurels.”
Game 2 is on Sunday, still at the Big Dome.
Alex Cabagnot also went for 15 markers and six assists while June Mar Fajardo tool the back seat and wound up with nine points, seven rebounds, three assists, and two blocks.
San Miguel opened the third period with a 14-4 charge to finally break off from Ginebra, turning a close 50-41 halftime edge to a 19-point lead, 64-45 lead, with 7:11 left in the third frame and going on cruise control from that point on.
The Beermen also avenged their 96-100 eliminations defeat to the Gin Kings.
Japeth Aguilar fired 17 points and seven rebounds to lead Ginebra, while Scottie Thompson and Sol Mercado also both had 17.
The Scores:
SAN MIGUEL 102 — Santos 23, Pessumal 18, Lassiter 17, Cabagnot 15, Fajardo 9, Ganuelas-Rosser 8, Ross 6, Heruela 4, Espinas 2, De Ocampo 0, Semerad 0.
GINEBRA 90 — J. Aguilar 17, Mercado 17, Thompson 17, Mariano 12, Caperal 8, Tenorio 6, Ferrer 5, Cruz 4, Devance 4, R. Aguilar 0, Manuel 0, Taha 0.
Quarters: 26-20, 50-41, 78-63, 102-90.
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.@barangayginebra coach @manilacone: (@TheSMBeermen) lived up to their reputation. #PBA2018 pic.twitter.com/X5Mt1bmQ8I
— Randolph B. Leongson (@RLeongsonINQ) March 9, 2018
