Ginebra eliminates San Miguel, sets up PBA Finals rematch vs TNT

MANILA, Philippines–In danger of being dragged into another rubber match, Barangay Ginebra pulled out all the stops to upend San Miguel, 102-99, on Sunday night and punch a ticket to the PBA Governors’ Cup Finals.

The Gin Kings doused the Beermen’s spirited tries down the stretch at Smart Araneta Coliseum to beat its dynastic sister team in six meetings and arrange a championship rematch against TNT.

Maverick Ahanmisi turned in his finest game in the series, putting up 25 points to lead the crowd darlings and seal the win that many thought was unlikely against a powerhouse cast like that of San Miguel.

“It took every little ounce of whatever we had left to win tonight. It just took a long toll on all of us and them, too,” said head coach Tim Cone. “Then it came down to that last (moments). We were limping to the finish line.”

“We just didn’t have anything left,” he went on. “We were worried we weren’t gonna pull that out and had to go to a Game 7. Just thankful we are not.”

Justin Brownlee had 21 points and seven rebounds, Japeth Aguilar 20, while rookie RJ Abarrientos and Scottie Thompson chipped in twin-digit scores. Thompson also had 14 rebounds.

Import EJ Anosike had 30 points and nine rebounds, June Mar Fajardo 22 and 10. Marcio Lassiter chipped in 16 more while CJ Perez 13 into the scoring effort, but both were unable to hit their attempts in a frantic last-ditch effort as the clock expired.

Barangay Ginebra and TNT figure in the final dance on Sunday Oct. 27 at Ynares Center in Antipolo City.

GINEBRA 102 – Ahanmisi 25, Brownlee 21, J.Aguilar 20, Abarrientos 16, Thommpson 10, Cu 7, Holt 3, mariano 0, Adamos 0.

SAN MIGUEL 99 – Anosike 30, Fajardo 22, Lassiter 16, Perez 13, Cruz 8, Trollano 8, Manuel 2, Romeo 0, Ross 0.

Quarterscores: 23-27, 46-49, 76-75, 102-99.