San Miguel nearly blew an 11-point lead but hung tough for a 94-91 win over Brgy. Ginebra in Game 3 Sunday to sweep their PBA Commissioner's Cup semifinals series.
The Beermen await the winner between the Magnolia Chicken Timplados Hotshots and Phoenix Super LPG Fuel Masters.
Bennie Boatwright carried the bulk of the load with 26 points built on six three-pointers, but muffed a pair of pressure-packed free throws with 20 seconds remaining.
Fortunately for the Beermen, Christian Standhardinger turned the ball over in the ensuing play, and June Mar Fajardo went perfect on his own foul shots to make it 94-89 San Miguel.
Boatwright then made up for his botched shots with a big time block on Ginebra counterpart Tony Bishop, as the Beermen make their first Finals appearance since last season's Philippine Cup.
Jericho Cruz also provided some spark for the Beermen, pouring 17 points. Marcio Lassiter chimed in 14 points, while Fajardo wound up with 11 points, 10 rebounds, three assists, and three blocks.
“It’s just composure. Players were very composed especially in the endgame,” said SMB coach Jorge Gallent.
Ginebra, parading that Never Say Die spirit, refused to just roll over and die.
The Gin Kings chipped away at an 11-point deficit in the fourth period before Standhardinger canned 4-of-4 from the free throw line to close in, 89-92, with 39.7 ticks to go.
He would score also score on a layup to secure the final tally, but it was just a little too late as the Beermen went on to hack out the much-needed victory and punch their 44th PBA Finals appearance.
Bishop paced Ginebra with 25 points, eight rebounds, two assists, two steals, and a block, but his all-around effort just wasn’t enough to get over the hump.
Scottie Thompson had 17 points, nine rebounds, five assists, a steal, and a block, while Japeth Aguilar added 12 points. Standhardinger finished with 10 points.
