Kings sweep way to finals

MANILA, Philippines — Barangay Ginebra dealt the proud and mighty San Miguel Beer its first 0-3 loss in a best-of-five contest on its way to a fifth PBA Governors’ Cup finals appearance.

Showing a no-quit attitude despite trailing by as many as 18 points, the Gin Kings worked their way to a pulsating 87-85 comeback victory in Game 3 to close out SMB yesterday at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.

Christian Standhardinger hit the go[1]ahead bucket off a nifty set-up by Justin Brownlee to complete the searing fightback that kept their three-peat bid in the season-ending meet rolling.

They now wait for TNT and Meralco to settle their side of the Final Four to determine their challenger in the best-of-seven finale that kicks off on Easter Sunday. “Certainly different from the first two games.

Just a real struggle,” Ginebra coach Tim Cone said after the thrilling escape that was in stark contrast to their runaway triumphs in the first two, 121-112 and 121-103.

Cone was relieved to have done the seemingly impossible – beat mighty SMB in three straight games – while achieving the first 3-0 shutout win for the Ginebra franchise in a five-match series.

Later in the night, TNT walloped Meralco, 99-80, to move on the verge of a Last Dance stint against Ginebra.

Rondae Hollis-Jefferson erupted for 40 markers plus 13 boards while Mikey Williams rifled in 29 to power TNT to the bounceback from its 124- 117 overtime loss in Game 2.

“We stayed locked-in for 48 (minutes this time). Though we had a couple of mental lapses in the fourth, we found a way to pull through,” said Williams, whose team led by as many as 26