Ginebra conquers Star in Game Seven to return to finals

Sol Mercado shot Ginebra back to the finals. KC Cruz

Barangay Ginebra San Miguel is back in the finals.

The Never Say Die squad defeated the Star Hotshots, 89-76, in Game Seven of their Philippine Cup semifinals on Tuesday at Mall of Asia Arena.

"Seven games. Who could ask for more," said Ginebra coach Tim Cone after the game. "It was tough. Our guys just did a good job at pushing and pushing and battling and battling. It was truly an amazing series."

The Gin Kings saw their seven-point fourth quarter edge trimmed to just three early in the fourth after back-to-back hits from Marc Pingris and Aldrech Ramos, but LA Tenorio, Japeth Aguilar, and Scottie Thompson came up with their own seven-point swing at the other end to re-establish a double digit lead, 75-65.

Sol Mercado scored 23 points to lead the Gin Kings, including timely triples in the third quarter that kept Star at bay. Tenorio added 21 markers, as the two guards tallied five assists and four rebounds each. Aguilar chipped in 19 markers, while Thompson scored 10 points with nine rebounds.

Allein Maliksi carried the Hotshots of the bench, scoring 22 points. Marc Pingris paced the bench with 17 points, eight rebounds, and six assists.

Cone, who previously coached the Purefoods franchise, took time to praise Pingris.

"I feel bad for Ping, he was playing great," said Cone.

Ramos added 14 markers and eight boards. But star guard Paul Lee and rookie Jio Jalalon struggled to score just four points each off an identical 2 of 8 shooting clip.

Ginebra, which is coming off a Governors' Cup title victory last conference, will face two-time defending champion San Miguel in the finals of the tournament. —JST, GMA News