Ginebra Knocks Out Star, Gets Finals Date with SMB

It’s Ginebra versus San Miguel in the PBA Philippine Cup finals!

The Barangay set up a best-of-seven showdown with the Beermen for the title after ousting the Star Hotshots, 89-76, in the last game of the semifinal round in front of 20,221 people at the Mall of Asia Arena on Tuesday night.

Ginebra raced to a hot start, opening a 21-7 lead in the first quarter and was in control for most of the first half.

But Star still inched closer, drawing to within three, 59-62, in the third quarter.

The Barangay regained momentum in the fourth quarter and held off one final push by the Hotshots to finish them off.

Sol Mercado sizzled anew for Ginebra with 23 points on 4-of-6 triples, four rebounds, five assists, and one steal, while LA Tenorio added 21 points, four rebounds, five assists, and one steal.

Allein Maliksi led Star with 22 points, but he was silent in the fourth quarter.

Marc Pingris’ all-around game of 17 points, eight rebounds, six assists, two blocks, and one block went for naught.

Box Scores:

Ginebra 89-Mercado 23, Tenorio 21, Aguilar 19, Thompson 10, Devance 7, Cruz 6, Ferrer 2, Marcelo 1, Caguioa 0, Ellis 0

Star 76-Maliksi 22, Pingris 17, Ramos 14, Barroca 8, Reavis 5, Lee 4, Jalalon 4, Melton 2, Sangalang 0, Simon 0, Dela Rosa 0

Quarterscores: 26-16, 45-36, 65-61, 89-76 (PNA)JMC/IS/EBP