Vengeful San Miguel got back at Ginebra with a 102-81 Game 4 thumping to move a win away from once again advancing to the 2018 PBA Philippine Cup Finals Thursday at Mall of Asia Arena.
The Beermen tore the Gin Kings to shreds as they jumped to a commanding 58-39 advantage late in the first half before continuing the onslaught and establishing a 29-point lead, 84-55, with a Von Pessumal triple with 1:49 left in the third quarter.
San Miguel can finish off the best-of-seven series with another victory in Game 5 on Saturday at Cuneta Astrodome.
It was just a crisp display of basketball from San Miguel, which gifted its coach Leo Austria a win after celebrating his 60th birthday on Wednesday, as it shot 51-percent from the field and dished out 29 assists.
Marcio Lassiter waxed hot from downtown, going 5-of-10 from three to lead the Beermen with 23 points, six assists, and four rebounds.
Alex Cabagnot had his best showing in the series with 19 markers, eight dimes and three boards, while Arwind Santos contributed 16 points, nine rebounds, and two steals.
June Mar Fajardo was solid anew with 14 markers and 13 rebounds, Matt Ganuelas-Rosser also had 12 points, nine assists, and six boards, and Chris Ross bucked a thigh injury and went 4-of-4 from the field for 11 markers.
“Only one thing that I can say in this game is that energy is the big factor,” said the veteran bench tactician. “We were able to negate whatever they want because of the energy, and we’re able to run our game plan by getting some of their big men into foul trouble.”
Japeth Aguilar poured 31 points, 13 rebounds, and four steals, while LA Tenorio got 20 markers and three dimes for Ginebra, which is starting at a 1-3 series deficit.
The San Miguel defense managed to contained the other Gin Kings with Joe Devance held to two points and five assists and Scottie Thomspon to just one point and four assists.
The Scores:
SAN MIGUEL 102 — Lassiter 23, Cabagnot 19, Santos 16, Fajardo 14, Ganuelas-Rosser 12, Ross 11, Espinas 4, Pessumal 3, Agovida 0, De Ocampo 0, Heruela 0, Lanete 0, Vigil 0.
GINEBRA 81 — J. Aguilar 31, Tenorio 20, Cruz 9, Mercado 5, Caguioa 3, Caperal 3, Ferrer 3, Devance 2, Manuel 2, Mariano 2, Thompson 1, R. Aguilar 0.
Quarters: 32-22, 58-41, 84-58, 102-81.