Never-Say-Die Spirit Fuels Ginebra’s Clutch Victory
Barangay Ginebra once again proved why their “Never-Say-Die” mantra is more than just a slogan. In an intense and gritty showdown at the Mall of Asia Arena on Wednesday night, the Gin Kings clawed their way back from an 18-point deficit to steal Game 1 of the PBA Philippine Cup semifinals against the San Miguel Beermen, 73–71.
It was far from a perfect game for both teams, but Ginebra’s resilience, timely defense, and clutch shot-making turned what could’ve been a disaster into a thrilling victory.
Beermen Dominate Early, But Offense Falters Late
San Miguel opened the game with confidence, racing to a 29–19 lead at the end of the first quarter. Their aggressive play and ball movement gave them early control of the match. However, their offensive rhythm quickly deteriorated as the game progressed.
Despite controlling the pace and maintaining a lead for much of the game, the Beermen’s shooting woes began to pile up. After scoring 29 in the first frame, San Miguel managed only 16 points in the second quarter, 15 in the third, and just 11 in the final period. Their final shooting numbers reflected the struggle: a woeful 26-of-81 clip from the field.
Key players like CJ Perez (8-of-21), Juami Tiongson (5-of-15), and June Mar Fajardo (3-of-10) struggled to find their rhythm. Marcio Lassiter and Rodney Brondial combined for just 1-of-10 shooting. The bench offered little relief, leaving San Miguel vulnerable in crunch time.
Aguilar, Holt Spark Late Ginebra Rally
Japeth Aguilar emerged as Ginebra’s key anchor on both ends of the floor. He finished with 18 points and 9 rebounds, nearly completing a double-double. His presence in the paint and ability to spark the offense became crucial in the final minutes.
Down the stretch, Ginebra unleashed a 12–2 run, flipping the game on its head. Stephen Holt, who had gone 0-of-5 from the field all game, rose to the occasion with a clutch three-pointer that gave Ginebra a 70–69 lead with under two minutes remaining. Holt later sealed the win at the free-throw line, calmly making the first of two free throws with just two seconds left before intentionally missing the second to prevent a final SMB possession.
Scottie Thompson added 16 points while Jamie Malonzo contributed 14, helping power the Kings’ second-half surge.
Statement Win Sets the Tone for Game 2
The comeback not only gave Ginebra the early lead in the best-of-seven series, but it also served as a statement to their rivals. Despite losing to San Miguel earlier in the eliminations (93–104), the Gin Kings showed maturity, discipline, and unwavering belief in their system.
Game 2 is set for Friday at the Ninoy Aquino Stadium, where San Miguel will look to regroup and Ginebra will aim to ride the momentum from their Game 1 triumph.
Final Thoughts
In a battle defined by grit more than grace, it was Ginebra’s unshakable resolve that made the difference. While both teams struggled to find offensive consistency, the Kings’ ability to execute in key moments proved decisive. If this opening game is any indication, PBA fans are in for a dramatic and hard-fought semifinal series.