Brgy. Ginebra def San Miguel, 93-81 [PBA S49 Comm’s Cup | Jan. 5, 2025]

After delivering a thrilling Christmas Day victory to themselves and their loyal fans, the Barangay Ginebra Kings are eager to kick off 2025 on a high note.

Meanwhile, the San Miguel Beermen are determined to bounce back from a sobering loss in their final game of 2024.

As these two storied franchises clash, they each aim to achieve their goals at the other’s expense in the main event of the PBA Commissioner’s Cup return twin bill at the Smart Araneta Coliseum this Sunday.

Tip-off is set for 7:30 p.m., with both teams seeking to start the new year with momentum that could revitalize their campaigns. Currently, the tournament is led by the NorthPort Batang Pier at 6-1, followed closely by the Rain or Shine Elasto Painters at 4-1, and the Hong Kong Eastern and Converge FiberXers, both sitting at 6-2.

The Gin Kings stand at 4-2, closely followed by the Meralco Bolts at 3-2, with the Beermen trailing slightly at 3-3.

Justin Brownlee and his crew are looking to build on their previous performance after edging out the Magnolia Hotshots 95-92 in a thrilling Christmas Day matchup that saw over 12,000 fans packed into the Big Dome.

Rookie RJ Abarrientos was a standout, pouring in 17 of his 20 points during a standout second half, including four electrifying three-pointers that sparked a remarkable comeback from a 22-point deficit. He also set up Scottie Thompson for a dramatic game-winning three at the buzzer.

The Kings are poised to continue their momentum as they prepare for a high-stakes duel against the Beermen, a rematch of their semifinal showdown in the previous conference.

Coach Tim Cone’s squad outlasted coach Jorge Gallent’s men in a hard-fought six-game series, only to fall to the TNT Tropang Giga in the finals after another six-game battle.

Although the Beermen’s struggles extended into the early phases of the Commissioner’s Cup, they have since turned the tide, claiming three victories in their last five outings under the guidance of returning coach Leo Austria.

However, the Beermen’s spirits took a hit after suffering a heartbreaking 99-91 overtime loss to Eastern in their final game of 2024, which also marked the PBA debut of new import Jabbari Narcis.