Beermen seize series lead, bury Ginebra with 38-pt win

The San Miguel Beermen seized a 2-1 lead in the best of seven finals series of the 2018 Commissioner’s Cup after dominating Barangay Ginebra San Miguel, 132-94, on Wednesday.

Renaldo Balkman led San Miguel in scoring with 28 points, 11 rebounds, and five assists, but it was Chris Ross’ stellar stat line with 23 points, seven rebounds, five assists, and four steals that made the difference.

June Mar Fajardo added 22, while Marcio Lassiter and Christian Stanhardinger chipped in 12 points apiece.

Arwind Santos rounded up the Beermen in doubel figures with 11 markers.

The last time the Gin Kings led was in the second quarter, when Joe Devance hit a triple to give Ginebra a 51-47 edge with 1:30 remaining.

Back to back and ones from Renaldo Balkman and June Mar Fajardo, however, gave San Miguel a 53-51 advantage at the halftime break.

The Beermen did not let up, uncorking a 9-0 blast to start the third to build a double digit lead.

Coach Leo Austria’s squad had an answer for every Ginebra rally, and in the final three minutes, San Miguel outscored the Gin Kings, 12-4 for a 20-point lead heading into the final frame.

Ginebra never recovered, as San Miguel stretched their advantage to 27 points to open the fourth, 99-72.

A Von Pessumal triple in the final minute made it a 40-point game, before Aljon Mariano scored to settle the final score.

Of Ginenbra’s starters, only Justin Brownlee scored in double figures with 32 points. Mark Caguioa was the only other player to score in double digits with 12, as twin towers Greg Slaughter and Japeth Aguilar combined for just 13 points.

Joe Devance struggled with seven along with Sol Mercado, as LA Tenorio and Scottie Thompson combined for eight.

Without Brownlee’s production, Ginebra’s locals settled for a 22 for 53 clip from the field. — BAP, GMA News