San Miguel guard and playing assistant coach Chris Ross. –PBA IMAGES
MANILA, Philippines–San Miguel Beer kept it together down the stretch to hold off Barangay Ginebra, 95-82, and get back to the winning column of the PBA Commissioner’s Cup on Friday night.
Chris Ross and Jericho Cruz starred in a 13-0 run inside the final five minutes of the contest at Smart Araneta Coliseum to douse the Gin Kings’ rally and seal the Beermen’s fourth win in seven outings.
“We’re playing Ginebra. They always have a run. We were pretty much in control the game the whole time, but I told the guys at halftime they’re gonna have a run, so we just have to weather it. We had some lapses … but we were able to come out with big shots, weather that storm and come out with the win,” said Ross, the playing assistant coach who top scored with 22 points that went with six assists.
Cruz had finished with 16 points, which was matched by new pickup Don Trollano. CJ Perez chipped in 13 more as import Ivan Aska added 10 for the powerhouse club that continues to miss a bevy of standouts, including reigning Most Valuable Player June Mar Fajardo.
Import Tony Bishop Jr. had 20 for Barangay Ginebra. Maverick Ahanmisi added 13 while Von Pessumal and Jamie Malonzo 11 each as the defending champions to an identical 4-3 mark.
The Gin Kings pulled within four, 79-75, behind a Bishop Jr. triple. But against the sweet-shooting Cruz and Ross, the crowd darlings sputtered.
San Miguel plays TNT this Sunday, while Ginebra takes on Meralco, Bishop’s old side next.