Photo by Tristan Tamayo/INQUIRER.net
Marcio Lassiter tipped in the game-winning basket as San Miguel shocked Ginebra, 104-102, in overtime for a 2-0 lead in their 2018 PBA Philippine Cup semifinals Sunday at Smart Araneta Coliseum.
The sweet-shooting swingman was there for the clean-up job after Fajardo muffed a gimme to give the Beermen the lead with 3.2 seconds left.
With no timeouts left, Scottie Thompson succumbed to the Beermen’s pressure defense and lost the ball as time ran out.
“I think we’re just lucky to win this game,” said SMB coach Leo Austria as his side battled back from 15-points down in the first half, 38-53.
“We thought from the start that we’re losing this game, but maybe because of the pride and the experience of the team, they don’t wanna lose because they know the importance of this game.”
San Miguel got its act together in the second half and stunned the troves of Ginebra faithful who trooped to the Big Dome as Joe Devance committed the five-second inbound violation which could have given the Gin Kings a chance to win the game in the last 15.8 seconds.
The Beermen shoot for a decisive 3-0 advantage in Game 3 on Tuesday night at Mall of Asia Arena.
Fajardo posted game-highs of 33 points and 19 rebounds that went with two assists, and two blocks, while Lassiter got 25 markers on 4-of-9 shooting from three, while also collecting eight boards, four dimes, and three steals.
Chris Ross and Alex Cabagnot both had 13 points apiece while Arwind Santos shook off his early struggles and came up with eight of his 11 markers in the fourth period, none bigger than his triple that tied the game at 95 with 13.4 seconds remaining in regulation.
“My players, they didn’t want to lose and I salute them,” said Austria. “This game is very important. If they want to rest, they can rest tomorrow, but they played with a lot of heart, maybe because they are used to this kind of situation.”
Joe Devance and Scottie Thompson both had chances to win it for the Gin Kings in the fourth period, but the Beermen defense stifled their attempts as the game went to overtime.
The defeat spoiled the big night from seldom-used big man Prince Caperal, who notched a career-high 26 points and eight rebounds for Ginebra.
Japeth Aguilar paced the Gin Kings with 28 markers, seven boards, five assists, and two blocks, while Devance got 11 points, six rebounds, and four dimes.
The Scores:
SAN MIGUEL 104 — Fajardo 33, Lassiter 25, Ross 13, Cabagnot 13, Santos 11, Ganuelas-Rosser 7, Heruela 2, Pessumal 0, Espinas 0, De Ocampo 0.
GINEBRA 102 — J. Aguilar 28, Caperal 26, Devance 11, Thompson 10, Cruz 10, Tenorio 8, Mercado 7, Mariano 2.
Quarters: 25-30, 42-55, 70-73, 95-95, 104-102.