WATCH: Jeremiah Gray Highlights [Brgy. Ginebra vs San Miguel SF Game 1 | Mar. 24, 2023]

Brgy. Ginebra survived a spirited fightback by San Miguel from 21 points down to take Game 1 of the semifinals, 121-112, Friday in the PBA Season 47 Governors’ Cup at the Smart Araneta Coliseum in Quezon City.

Down by 15, 80-95, going into the final frame, the Beermen opened the quarter like a house on fire and rattled off 15 straight points to equalize the count at 95-all. The Gin Kings, however, countered with their own 7-0 run to take control of the match anew. It was a nip-and-tuck affair from thereon with the defending champs fending off further comeback attempts on the way to the 9-point victory.

Christian Standhardinger bulldozed his way to 33 points on a sizzling 13-of-19 shooting from the field and 7-of-10 from the stripe. The 6-foot-8 Fil-German also tallied 10 rebounds, 5 assists and a steal in 43 minutes of action.

“I’ve been playing with Justin [Brownlee], Scottie [Thompson], all those guys, for I think like two-and-a-half years now and we’re just clicking,” said Standhardinger during the post-game presser with the best player and winning coach. “That’s what coach actually said, you build on top of each other and eventually that’s where you go.”

“You never can count them out. I think that’s the lesson that we need to take out of this game even though that was a happy end for us. We gotta keep pushing and we gotta take it very very serious because they got so many good shooters, so many great scorers within five minutes it was an even game.”

Jamie Malonzo also had a significant performance with 27 points highlighted by 5-of-12 shooting from beyond the arc to go with 6 boards, 4 dimes, 3 steals and no turnovers. Justin Brownlee had 24 points and 12 rebounds while Scottie Thompson and Jeremiah Gray added 15 and 12 markers, respectively.

“I feel honored that he’s spending his time with us and he’s so valuable. He’s a leader, he’s been our leader for the time I’ve been here,” said Brgy. Ginebra head coach Tim Cone on LA Tenorio who’s currently a part of his staff while dealing with a stage 3 colon cancer. “I just find it really selfless on his part to be here, and I think the whole team feels that.”

Game 2 of the best-of-five semis tussle between the SMC-owned franchises is scheduled on Sunday, March 26, 6:45pm at the same venue.