Wounded Beermen level series vs Kings

MANILA, Philippines – The San Miguel Beermen, hurting from their poor stand in Game One, nursed themselves back into fierce form and edged the Barangay Ginebra San Miguel Kings, 95-92, in their PBA Governors Cup best-of-five semifinal duel at the Smart Araneta Coliseum last night.

Elijah Millsap, outplayed by Justin Brownlee the last time, turned things around this time, coming through with a solid 25-point game capped by a decisive thunderous jam at endgame. He actually came up with two crucial plays in the last 13 seconds, first soaring past Japeth Aguilar for the huge slam then hounding Brownlee on the other end to deny the Ginebra import a good shot at a game-tying trey.

All together, the Beermen stayed calm after blowing away a 16-point lead and avoided a repeat of their heartbreaking 108-115 loss in Game One.

June Mar Fajardo shook off an eyebrow cut sustained in the first quarter and powered his way to a personal conference high 23 rebounds that went with 18 points, two blocks and one assist.

Alex Cabagnot and Ronald Tubid connected with timely three-pointers and finished with 13 and 10 points, respectively.

“I have to commend the guys. They showed composure knowing that winning this game is an urgent matter for us,” said San Miguel coach Leo Austria.

Ginebra coach Tim Cone rued they didn’t start focused on the game after their come-from-behind win in Game One.

“Kampante. As a group, we’re still learning to play a series,” said Cone.

With Fajardo being attended in their dugout for his cut, reserve center Yancy de Ocampo put in a good relief effort as the Beermen roared to a 16-point spread at 47-31 in the second quarter.

But as in Game One, the Kings struck hard in the third period, getting into the battle behind Brownlee, LA Tenorio and Sol Mercado.

The Kings pulled even at 58-all on a three-point play by Tenorio off Arwind Santos and moved ahead at 61-60 on a three-point bomb also by Tenorio on a kick-out by Brownlee.

But unlike the previous game, the Beermen recovered and survived.

Millsap and Fajardo made the big difference as they salvaged the game to force the 1-1 tie in the series.

Fajardo made 10 points and seven rebounds earlier, helping the Beermen to a steady start that led to a 51-40 cushion at the turn.

Even with Fajardo limited to 11 minutes of action, the Beermen pounded the Kings, 32-22, on points at the paint in the first 24 minutes of play.

Making a rare start, rookie Aljun Mariano was the lone bright light for the Kings in the first half, scoring 10 on 5-of-7 field goals.

The TNT Katropa Texters hope to unload the same deadly offensives they used in Game One as they go for a second straight win over the Meralco Bolts in their side of the semis tonight also at the Big Dome.

In stepping up in the final half Tuesday night, the Texters showed how lethal they could be as they zero in on their first PBA finals in four conferences.