Brgy. Ginebra def San Miguel, 99-94 [PBA S49 Govs’ Cup SF Game 3 | Oct. 13, 2024]
One of Brgy. Ginebra coach Tim Cone’s predictions has come to fruition as San Miguel Beer displayed remarkable resilience, securing an equalizer in their PBA Governors’ Cup semifinals showdown.
Cone is now optimistic that another of his forecasts will hold true when his Kings face off against the Beermen once again this Sunday in what promises to be a crucial encounter at the Dasmarinas City Arena in Cavite.
Demonstrating the type of performance Cone anticipated, SMB emerged victorious with a 131-125 decision in overtime last Friday at the Smart Araneta Coliseum, effectively erasing the Kings’ 122-105 triumph in the series opener just two nights prior.
Coach Jorge Gallent expressed satisfaction with his Beermen’s improved execution on both ends of the court, a stark contrast to their Game 1 showing. However, he quickly reminded everyone that they still have significant challenges ahead.
Cone had foreseen his players’ inability to deliver a strong follow-up to their initial win over SMB, but now that Game 2 has come and gone, the country’s most successful coach recognizes his team’s potential to rebound and match SMB’s composure and experience before ultimately clinching what he believes will be a closely contested series.
Indeed, key players Justin Brownlee, Stephen Holt, Japeth Aguilar, and Scottie Thompson are well-matched against San Miguel’s formidable line-up of June Mar Fajardo, EJ Anosike, CJ Perez, and Marcio Lassiter.
The outcome may hinge on which team can unearth a standout performance, similar to RJ Abarrientos’ surprise impact for the Kings in Game 1 or Terrence Romeo’s explosive display for the Beermen in Game 2.
After being limited to just six points in Game 1, Romeo rediscovered his fiery form last Friday, posting a personal conference-high of 26 points, with 22 of those coming in the pivotal fourth quarter and overtime, propelling SMB to victory.