PBA: San Miguel averts collapse, drags Ginebra to Game 4

June Mar Fajardo didn't miss a shot to help San Miguel escape Barangay Ginebra, 101-98, in Game 3 of the PBA Season 50 Governors' Cup quarterfinals on Tuesday in Cavite.

Fajardo had a perfect 7-on-7 shooting from the field to finish with 18 points and 13 rebounds as the Beermen averted a collapse from a 15-point advantage, avoiding a series sweep and forcing a Game 4 on Friday.

Goerge King continued to struggle offensively with 21 points on a dismal 9-of-22 shooting clip, but grabbed 12 rebounds, and two assists while CJ Perez and Marcio Lassiter chipped in 14 and 13 markers each to keep their campaign alive.

"I thought we would be having an early vacation, but this game extended our campaign until Friday and hopefully, we could force a Game 5 as well," San Miguel head coach Leo Austria said.

"It's very evident that our defense is there. The energy and effort can be seen and the most crucial thing, from what I observed from the players in the dugout, was the fire in their eyes."

A King layup midway in the third period sent San Miguel to a 69-54 lead and allowed the Beermen to create some separation from a Ginebra side that had beaten them by a big margin in the first two games.

But the Gin Kings roared back in hopes to finish the series off tonight, pulling to within one point after RJ Abarrientos hit a big three-pointer off a Scottie Thompson pass in the final 1:04 of the fourth period, 98-99.

Ginebra had multiple chances to steal the victory, but Stephen Holt, Thompson, and Abarrientos all went wide on their attempts from deep as San Miguel lived to fight another day.

Abarrientos led Ginebra with 21 points, six rebounds, and three assists while Jordan Murphy and Isaac Go both chipped in 17 markers.

—JMB, GMA News