Ginebra prevents collapse, evens series vs San Miguel in OT

Joe Devance drove it for the game-tying basket at the final buzzer as the Barangay Ginebra San Miguel claimed a 124-118 victory against the San Miguel Beerman in overtime to even the best-of-seven 2017 Philippine Cup finals series on Sunday in Lucena.

 

Japeth Aguilar had 23 points, while Kevin Ferrer chipped in 21 markers off the bench. But it was Scottie Thompson who packed his stats sheet with 18 points, 18 rebounds, and eight assists.

 

Joe Devance finished the game with 16 points, while LA Tenorio and Sol Mercado scored 15 and 11 points, respectively.

 

The Gin Kings led by as many 26 in the game after a four-point play by LA Tenorio with 1:10 left in the second, 65-39.

 

The Beermen turned it around in the third, uncorking a 39-18 blast in the third to trim the lead to just three, 85-82, heading into the final turn.

 

An Arwind Santos triple with 48 ticks remaining knotted the game at 106-all, but Japeth Aguilar responded with two charities to give Ginebra a two-point edge.

 

Off a timeout, the Beermen swung the ball around, as an Alex Cabagnot drive lead to an open Gabby Espinas, who drilled the three for a one-point San Miguel lead.

 

The two teams exchanged turnovers, with Ginebra getting a chance to grab the lead via a Japeth Aguilar triple. Aguilar's attempt rimmed out,as Ronald Tubid split from the line to give San Miguel a two-point lead.

 

Ginebra had 3.2 seconds to tie or win the game, and Joe Devance drove in to the lane for the game-tying basket to send the game into overtime.

 

In extra time, Ginebra outscored San Miguel 8-2 in the first 2:20 to stretch the six, 118-112, but back to back triples from Ronald Tubid knotted the game anew at the 1:40 mark.

 

Two charities from Aguilar, followed by a drive from Scottie Thomspon, then gave Ginebra a more comfortable 122-118 edge with 53 seconds left. Another basket from Sol Mercado put the game away.

 

Arwind Santos paced San Miguel with 23 points, while Marcio Lassiter finished with 21 markers before being thrown out for getting whistled for two technical fouls. Chris Ross and Ronald Tubid scored 16 apiece, while Alex Cabagnot was limited to 13 markers. GInebra also shut down June Mar Fajardo, as the big man was limited to just 10 points off five attempts. — DVM, GMA News