San Miguel Beermen in the PBA Philippine Cup semifinals Game 2 against Barangay Ginebra Gin Kings. –MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.net
San Miguel Beer got back at Barangay Ginebra despite limited minutes from an ailing June Mar Fajardo and took a 100-83 victory in the PBA Philippine Cup semifinals on Friday that tied their best-of-seven series at 1-1 inside Ninoy Aquino Stadium.
Marcio Lassiter pumped in eight of his 16 points in the first quarter, which set the tone for a dominant display by the Beermen while Mo Tautuaa stepped up with 10 points and 10 rebounds as they bounced back from losing Game 1 despite an 18-point lead.
LIVE: 2025 PBA Philippine Cup Semifinals – Game 2 – June 27
They also prevailed despite Fajardo logging just 17 minutes and 39 seconds due to a calf injury that hounded him in the 73-71 defeat two nights earlier. He finished with two points, seven rebounds and two assists off the bench.
San MIguel Beermen’s Marcio Lassiter during the PBA Philippine Cup semifinals against Barangay Ginebra Gin Kings. –MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.net
Don Trollano added 14 points while Kris Rosales provided a significant lift in the third when Ginebra got to within single digits before finishing with 13 for San Miguel.
Game 3 is set Sunday at Smart Araneta Coliseum, with the winner gaining a 2-1 advantage.
Stephen Holt scored 17 but Ginebra found itself in a big hole early, and there was little semblance of replicating what transpired in Game 1.
Ginebra’s other main cogs struggled like Japeth Aguilar, who had only five points and five rebounds with six assists, and Scottie Thompson nine points and six assists.
Jeremiah Gray and Nards Pinto added 10 points apiece for Ginebra, which after cutting the margin to nine at 65-56, lost steam and fell behind by 23 in the fourth.
Coach Leo Austria elected to field Fajardo, albeit on managed minutes after being cleared by doctors to play due to what was described as tightness in his calf muscle.