Barangay Ginebra San Miguel is moving on to the PBA Governors’ Cup finals.
Pushed to the hilt by a game San Miguel Beermen, Ginebra found just enough heroes to outlast the PBA’s winningest ballclub, 102-99, in a pulsating Game 6 on Sunday at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
But it certainly was not easy for the Tim Cone-mentored squad, who again trailed by double digits in the opening frame just like in Game 5. Again, like in Game 5, Ginebra clawed back, outscoring the Beermen 8-2 to end the first at 27-23 after trailing, 25-15.
Ginebra, San Miguel Trade Big Blows Until the End
However, Game 6 did not devolve into a blowout; instead, it became the heavyweight duel it was expected to be, with both teams trading big shot after big shot and making big play after big play. A slim 76-75 lead underscored the war of attrition that had developed in Game 6 as Ginebra looked to close out the series and San Miguel gamely tried to extend it to a deciding Game 7.
The crowd darlings, though, rode the hot hands of Maverick Ahanmisi and the superb playmaking of RJ Abarrientos and Scottie Thompson to extend the Ginebra lead to as much as eight midway in the final frame. But San Miguel had an answer to every Barangay uprising, getting timely hits from Marcio Lassiter, June Mar Fajardo, and even Jericho Cruz.
The Beermen even had a chance to force OT or win outright after forcing a Ginebra miss with some 20 ticks remaining. But, unable to call a timeout in a liveball, the Beermen had to scramble and settle for a contested EJ Anosike four-point try and a desperation three-pointer from Cruz off an offensive carom.
Ahanmisi starred for Ginebra in Game 6 with 25 points, while Brownlee and Japeth Aguilar chipped in 21 and 20 markers, respectively. Anosike’s 30 points led the Beermen, while Fajardo finished with 22.
Ginebra will face the TNT Tropang Giga in the PBA Governors’ Cup finals. Game 1 is on Sunday, October 27, at the Ynares Center.
The Scores:
- GINEBRA 102 – Ahanmisi 25, Brownlee 21, J.Aguilar 20, Abarrientos 16, Thompson 10, Cu 7, Holt 3
- SAN MIGUEL 99 – Anosike 30, Fajardo 22, Lassiter 16, Perez 13, Cruz 8, Trollano 8, Manuel 2
