Vernon Macklin vs Chris Tiu and Beau Belga PBA IMAGE / Nuki Sabio
MANILA, Philippines — Barangay Ginebra San Miguel escaped Rain or Shine, 81-79, Monday night to crash into the PBA Commissioner’s Cup semifinals at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
Import Vernon Macklin topscored with 24 points, including a tip in on Kerby Raymundo’s miss that tied the game at 79 and the game-winning free throws with 11.1 seconds left.
“They underestimated us. They underestimated our players. Hindi nila na-estimate yung puso ng mga bata,” said Ginebra head coach Alfrancis Chua, whose team will face Talk ‘N Text in a best-of-five semis.
“I know he can make it,” Yung sinasabing weakness niya yun ang nagpanalo sa amin,” said Chua on Macklin, a 47% free throw shooter coming into the game.
The Elasto Painters blew golden chances in the waning seconds — an open left corner three by Paul Lee, an uncontested putback by Jeff Chan and a tip by Gabe Norwood — all transpiring in the final 6.2 seconds of the game.
Chris Tiu led ROS with 15 points while Paul Lee had 14 points.