WITH everything tied, which team will step up to take a vital edge?
Defending champion San Miguel Beer and Barangay Ginebra square off again to break their tie in their best-of-five semifinals series in the 2016 Philippine Basketball Association Governors’ Cup.
Currently tied at 1-1 after the first two games, the Beermen and Gin Kings meet a third time in Game 3 at 7 p.m. at the Smart Araneta Coliseum to see which team moves a step closer to the finals.
San Miguel coach Leo Austria is hopeful that his squad can keep up its momentum and improved play in Game 3.
“I hope our last win gave us momentum into Game 3,” said Austria. “We kept on adjusting and we’re hoping to finally be settled by this next game.”
Following its meltdown in Game 1, San Miguel bounced back the last time out to equalize the series and avoided a repeat of their collapse.
The Beermen led for most part, got lost in the middle and finished strong to take Game 2, 95-92, last Wednesday night to avoid falling into a deep hole.
“It’s a best-of-five series. It was very important for us not to fall to 0-2 and avoid being in deep trouble. I’m glad we were able to tie it,” said Austria.
Elijah Millsap and June Mar Fajardo were the main catalysts. They were at the forefront of San Miguel’s attack in that game.
Fajardo kept fighting for San Miguel even after he suffered a deep cut in his right eyebrow late in the second quarter after accidentally being elbowed by his own teammate Millsap.
After exploding for 39 points in Game 1, Ginebra import Justin Brownlee was effectively contained by San Miguel in Game 2.
The Beermen only allowed Brownlee to score 18 points.
Brownlee and his Ginebra pals need to rediscover their magic in Game 1 to be able to bounce back.
Meanwhile, TNT KaTropa is shooting for a 2-0 series lead against Meralco with Game 2 being hotly contested as of press time.
