San Miguel Beermen’s Juami Tiongson during the PBA Philippine Cup semifinals Game 4 against Barangay Ginebra Gin Kings. –MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.net
MANILA, Philippines—San Miguel Beer was all about executing the right plays in Game 4 of the PBA Philippine Cup semifinals against Barangay Ginebra.
After a neck-and-neck first half, the Beermen did everything right in the third quarter to ultimately bury the Gin Kings, 107-82, and tie the best-of-seven series at 2-2 on Wednesday.
READ: LIVE: 2025 PBA Philippine Cup Semifinals – Game 4 – July 2
It was the fear of going down 3-1 that fueled San Miguel Beer to go into overdrive in the latter part of the game.
“It’s hard to be down 3-1 so our coaches told us to raise the intensity and execute our plays,” said June Mar Fajardo, reigning league MVP.
San Miguel Beermen’s June Mar Fajardo during the PBA Philippine Cup semifinals Game 4 against Barangay Ginebra Gin Kings. –MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.net
“We needed to do those things tonight and fortunately, we were able to do it,” the gentle giant added after notching a double-double of 12 points and 19 rebounds.
After trailing by one at the half, 51-50, the Beermen dug deep and buried the Beermen with a 21-7 run spearheaded by Juami Tiongson and Rodney Brondial for a sizeable 71-58 lead.
READ: PBA: Kris Rosales making most of semis role for San Miguel
After that, it was all San Miguel Beer.
Tiongson and Brondial finished with 14 and 12 markers, respectively as the Beermen waxed hot from three, sinking 14 of their 28 tries.
San Miguel Beer coach Leo Austria and June Mar Fajardo after the Game 4 win. | @MeloFuertesINQ
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“It was very obvious that the energy of the team was very high. A lot of our perimeter shots went in, unlike before when we were only 3-for-28 [from deep],” said coach Leo Austria.
But Austria also pointed to the Beermen’s defense as the game changer in the pivotal Game 4 as they were able to quell any semblance of a fightback from the Tin Kings.
Scottie Thompson, who tallied 16 points, seven rebounds, five assists, two steals and a block in Ginebra’s Game 3 win, was anything but impactful in the second half.
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The Beermen’s masterclass spanned from offense to defense as they breathed down Thompson’s neck, leaving him scoreless in third and fourth frames. He finished with 11.
San Miguel Beer shoots for the pivotal 3-2 series lead on Friday when Game 5 rolls around at Araneta Coliseum.