San Miguel frustrates Ginebra, Justin Brownlee for 2-2 PBA semis tie
June Mar Fajardo goes up for a shot against Justin Brownlee during the PBA Governors’ Cup semifinals game between Barangay Ginebra Gin Kings and San Miguel Beermen. –PBA IMAGES
San Miguel Beer got back at Barangay Ginebra with a big second half to come away with a 131-121 win that tied their PBA Governors’ Cup semifinal series at 2-2 Wednesday inside Smart Araneta Coliseum.
June Mar Fajardo posted 29 points and 16 rebounds in a vital performance to anchor the Beermen to a convincing victory which reduced the sibling showdown into a best-of-three affair.
Article continues after this advertisementREAD: San Miguel overcomes Ginebra in OT thriller to tie PBA semis
The Beermen drew level once more in the semis despite a 49-point performance from Justin Brownlee, whose Gin Kings trailed big in the second half to fall short of their bid to gain a commanding 3-1 advantage.
Game 5 is set Friday at Ynares Center in Antipolo City where the two San Miguel Corporation ballclubs look to get that third win and closer to a Finals showdown with either TNT or Rain or Shine.
Article continues after this advertisementWATCH: San Miguel Beer’s June Mar Fajardo and coach Jorge Gallent after tying the semis series with Ginebra at 2-2. | @MeloFuertesINQ pic.twitter.com/phT9xYD41C
— INQUIRER Sports (@INQUIRERSports) October 16, 2024
Import EJ Anosike posted 27 points and 11 rebounds while CJ Perez added 20 points, six rebounds, seven assists and two assists for San Miguel.
READ: PBA: Brownlee relishes fierce, ‘friendly’ competition vs June Mar
The Beermen bounced back after dropping Game 3 in Dasmarinas, Cavite with a 99-94 setback.
Stephen Holt scored 17 and Scottie Thompson made 15 points, four rebounds and eight assists in the Gin Kings setback.
Fajardo and Anosike accounted for 24 of San Miguel’s 37 points in the third to take a big lead after a 62-56 halftime lead.
That put Ginebra behind 99-85 entering the fourth, with no signs of creating a massive rally the rest of the way.
