San Miguel Beermen’s CJ Perez in the PBA Philippine Cup. –PBA IMAGES
MANILA, Philippines–San Miguel played with steely nerves down the stretch on Friday night to hold off Barangay Ginebra, 95-92, in the 2024 PBA Philippine Cup.
Heroes abounded for the Beermen in the nightcap at Smart Araneta Coliseum, with Jericho Cruz hitting a tough layup with 44 ticks remaining to douse the Gin Kings’ late try at a comeback.
“This game will gauge us,” said San Miguel coach Jorge Gallent, whose squad–defending champion of the All-Filipino tournament–stayed immaculate in four games.
READ: PBA: Unbeaten San Miguel gears up for Ginebra showdown
CJ Perez topscored San Miguel once again with 18 points that went with 10 rebounds. Don Trollano tossed in 15 more while June Mar Fajardo had a double-double of his own in 14 and 10.
CRUZ CONTROL!
Jericho Cruz pushes San Miguel’s lead to four, 95-91, with a tough inside layup.
44.8 seconds remain. | @MeloFuertesINQ pic.twitter.com/5hEOcSi9Pl
— INQUIRER Sports (@INQUIRERSports) April 5, 2024
Mo Tautuaa and Terrence Romeo also finished in double-digit scores as the Beermen continued to dominate the crowd darlings in all of their past five meetings this season.
Cruz had eight points in the triumph.
READ: PBA: San Miguel, Ginebra in crucial clash for top two drive
Ginebra’s starters all finished with at least 14 points, with Japeth Aguilar leading the scorers with 17.
The Gin Kings, however, sputtered when it mattered most, their 11-0 run in the final going down the drain as they dropped to 3-2 (win-loss) in the race.
San Miguel next plays Terrafirma and then Converge. Barangay Ginebra, meanwhile, tackles the Dyip and then Blackwater.