PBA: Spark plug Jeron Teng rallies San Miguel in Game 2 win over Ginebra

Jeron Teng, who didn’t see a single minute last game, made the most of his playing time in Game 2 to spark San Miguel’s 93-84 win against Barangay Ginebra in the PBA Season 50 Philippine Cup semifinals on Wednesday.

The 31-year-old guard scored all of his 13 points in the second half to help the Beermen level the series.

Teng, who wasn’t fielded in the entire first half, also had five rebounds and three assists in 15 minutes of action.

June Mar Fajardo picked up where he left from Game 1, dropping another huge double-double outing of 21 points and 23 rebounds while Don Trollano and Jericho Cruz made up for their lackluster showings in the previous match after tallying 12 and 11 markers each. 

"As a player, ang mentality ko right now is being ready whenever my number is called. Matured na ako, I'm just focused on controlling what I can control," Teng said. 

(As a player, my mentality right now is being ready whenever my number is called. I'm matured now, I'm just focused on controlling what I can control.)

"I'm here to help the team. I'm all for winning a championship. As a player, I just do what I'm paid to do."

Ginebra looked locked in early on as the Gin Kings seized control of the game in the first half, which Stephen Holt closed out with a three-pointer at the buzzer as they raced to a 34-42 lead. 

Holt continued punishing San Miguel in the third after burying two more triples to make that a 48-38 cushion. 

But the Beermen showed just why they're the defending champions with veterans Marcio Lassiter, Don Trollano, and Fajardo all conniving to put San Miguel up by two ahead of the fourth, 65-63. 

Teng then took over down the stretch, fueling a personal 6-0 run that saw the Beermen take an 80-71 lead. The former UAAP champion sank another layup before issuing back-to-back dimes that paved the way for Fajardo's and Mo Tautuaa's baskets, 88-77. 

Fajardo completed a three-point play to seal it for San Miguel, 91-79, as Ginebra could not find the response despite another big game from RJ Abarrientos. 

Abarrientos and Holt both paced Ginebra with 18 points while big man Norbert Torres churned out 10 markers. 

—JMB, GMA Integrated News