One Win Away: Ginebra Dominates San Miguel, Advances to Finals
The Barangay Ginebra San Miguel is on the cusp of returning to the PBA Governors’ Cup finals after a resounding 121-92 victory over the San Miguel Beermen. Meanwhile, TNT awaits the winner after cruising past Rain or Shine 110-90, securing their spot in the next round.
Ginebra’s Masterclass Performance
Ginebra’s two-way performance was nothing short of impressive, exposing San Miguel’s defensive weaknesses and capitalizing on their offense. The Beermen started strong, leading 33-20 late in the first quarter, but Ginebra’s RJ Abarrientos and Joe Devance sparked a 14-0 run, giving their team the lead by the end of the quarter.
Abarrientos shone bright, scoring a career-high 28 points on 64.3% field goal percentage, putting San Miguel’s defense in a bind. His presence, combined with June Mar Fajardo’s struggles in drop coverage, allowed Ginebra to wear Fajardo out and score easily. Justin Brownlee and Stephen Holt also took advantage of Fajardo’s drop, punishing him with drives and pick-and-roll plays.
Scottie Thompson’s Standout Performance
Scottie Thompson was another standout for Ginebra, posting 22 points, eight rebounds, five assists, and two steals. His 18-point first quarter kept Ginebra afloat during San Miguel’s early surge. Justin Brownlee, meanwhile, saw his usage reduced, finishing with 18 points, nine rebounds, and seven assists.
San Miguel’s Struggles
San Miguel’s shooting woes continued, with a dismal 22.2% (6-27) from beyond the 3-point arc. This allowed Ginebra to focus on defending the post, making San Miguel’s offense predictable. However, the Beermen did find success with the CJ Perez-Fajardo pairing in the pick-and-roll, which could be a key factor in their potential Game 6 comeback.
TNT’s Dominance Over Rain or Shine
TNT’s series win over Rain or Shine was a masterclass in versatility. They can play deliberately in the half court and tighten up their defense, or they can match Rain or Shine’s fast pace in transition. In Game 5, Rain or Shine focused on helping their primary defender, Rondae Hollis-Jefferson, but this opened up wide open looks for the other players on the court.
TNT capitalized on these opportunities, knocking down 51.9% from 3-point range and driving the ball to the paint for a 46-36 advantage in the shaded area. Their potential to be a high-level defensive team while remaining lethal on offense makes them a formidable opponent in the finals.
Rain or Shine’s Room for Improvement
Rain or Shine’s roster still needs more help to keep up with the strong contenders of the PBA. Their inability to generate good looks in the half court was exposed in the slower-paced playoffs. With head coach Yeng Guiao not using inexperience as an excuse, the pressure is on for their main guys to speed up their growth and build on something special. A reinforcement that can become their bucket getter in the next conference could be the key to their success.
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