Photo by Tristan Tamayo/INQUIRER.net
San Miguel Beer returned the favor and ripped Barangay Ginebra, 134-109, in Game 2 to even the 2018 PBA Commissioner’s Cup Finals Sunday night at Smart Araneta Coliseum.
Alex Cabagnot redeemed himself after struggling offensively in Game 1 with a career-high 33 points that went with four rebounds, nine assists and four steals as the Beermen showed why they’re the defending champions.
After getting blown out by 28 points, 127-99, in the finals opener, San Miguel came out firing with Cabagnot setting the tone and Marcio Lassiter, who made just two out of his 13 attempts in the previous game, also regaining his touch to finish with 20 points.
“We’re so sad with what happened the last game. We were humiliated,” said SMB head coach Leo Austria. “This time we were able to get back and even the series. Now we have a series.”
“I’m so thankful for our players because they realized how important this game is for us.”
Things got testy between the two teams late with Arwind Santos and Chris Ross getting tossed in separate instances inside the final six minutes.
Santos was ejected with 5:18 remaining after getting called for a flagrant foul penalty 2 for elbowing Ginebra guard Scottie Thompson in the midsection while Ross joined him 15 seconds later after incurring a couple of technical fouls during a verbal spat with Kings forward Joe Devance.
“I cannot blame them but next time they should be smart,” Austria said.
The Gin Kings trailed by as high as 31, 77-46, in the third quarter and even with much of the 15,000 in attendance rallied behind them, they just couldn’t pull within striking distance.
Justin Brownlee led Ginebra, which only managed to trim the deficit to 18 early in the fourth quarter, with 29 points just two nights after erupting for 42 in Game 1.
Game 3 is on Wednesday night at Araneta Coliseum.