Ginebra rips SMB, nears PBA crown

Game Today (Araneta Coliseum)

7:00 p.m. — San Miguel vs Ginebra (Game 6)

Barangay Ginebra recovered from a major power failure in the third quarter to beat San Miguel Beer, 106-98, and move onto the threshold of retaining its crown in the PBA Fiesta Cup last night at the Araneta Coliseum.

The Kings appeared to be in firm control of the game after unleashing a whirlwind assault in the second quarter that saw them take a 16-point lead – thanks to torrid shooting of Chico Lanete, import David Noel and Jay Helterbrand.

But all of a sudden, the Beermen came alive with Bonbon Custodio and Mick Pennisi making one big shot after another that pushed them to within, 68-69, on a jumper by Jonas Villanueva.

Former MVP Erik Menk ended the team’s long scoring spell with a power play for a 71-68 going into the final 12 minutes.

Pennisi highlighted that salvo with a rare four-point play that somehow energized his teammates.

The Kings, however, greeted the start of the fourth quarter with another big explosion to take a 13-point lead, 85-72, before holding another San Miguel rally to take a 3-2 lead in their best-of-seven title series.

Ginebra can clinch its 9th title with another win tomorrow.

Noel finished with 29 points, 13 in the fourth, while Helterbrand contributed 9 points.

“Helterbrand and Erik were able to play today, we shot very well tonight, we know what San Miguel is capable of. Hope we can get luckier on Wednesday,” said coach Jong Uichico.

The Kings used a strong 21-7 blast late in the second period to pad their lead to 56-40 with 21.8 seconds left before halftime.

Lanete shone brightest in that run as he accounted for three of five triples. Import David Noel and Jayjay Helterbrand, the reigning Most Valuable Player (MVP), also made a triple each.

Halftime ended with the Kings up, 56-42.

Ginebra actually took a 23-18 lead in the first period, and was ahead, 31-23, early in the second quarter before San Miguel made its own run that shoved the Beermen to within, 32-33 on Dorian Pena’s pair of free throws off a Willy Wilson foul.

Wilson answered with a lay-up, before Hontiveros split his free throws.

Mike Cortez paced the Beermen with 23 points.

Ginebra106 — Noel 29, Menk 18, Lanete 14, Tubid 14, Helterbrand 9, Wilson 8, Mamaril 6, Reavis 5, Salvacion 3, Pacana 0, Baguio 0.

SanMiguel 98 — Cortez 23, Freeman 16, Ildefonso 14, Villanueva 9, Hontiveros 9, Pennisi 7, Custodio 6, Washington 6, Pena 5, Racela 3, Gonzales 0, Pingris 0.

Quarters: 23-18, 56-42, 71-68, 106-98.