Clutch hits from Romeo lifts San Miguel past Ginebra in semis-tying OT win
MANILA, Philippines – Three-time PBA scoring champion Terrence Romeo still has not lost his touch.
Romeo delivered the big hits in overtime and San Miguel gutted out a 131-125 win over Barangay Ginebra to level their PBA Governors’ Cup semifinals at the Araneta Coliseum on Friday, October 11.
The flamboyant guard dropped 9 of his conference-high 26 points in the extra period as the Beermen got the job done to knot the best-of-seven affair at 1-1 after frittering away a double-digit lead in the fourth quarter.
His side trailing 114-117, Romeo sank a three-pointer and a four-pointer in succession to give San Miguel a 121-117 lead with two minutes remaining before Marcio Lassiter and import EJ Anosike brought the Beermen home.
Anosike finished with 35 points and 9 rebounds, while CJ Perez put up 28 points, 12 rebounds, and 7 assists as San Miguel redeemed itself after an embarrassing 122-105 loss in Game 1.
Reigning eight-time MVP June Mar Fajardo dominated inside for the Beermen with 23 points, 21 rebounds, 6 assists, and 2 blocks.
Justin Brownlee put the Gin Kings on his back with 39 points, 15 rebounds, 7 assists, 4 steals, and 4 blocks, but Ginebra ran out of steam after fighting back from a 79-90 deficit with under 10 minutes left in regulation.
The Gin Kings forced overtime as Maverick Ahanmisi drew a foul on Romeo with 1.3 ticks remaining in the fourth quarter then calmly sank his free throws to tie the count at 110-110.
Stephen Holt put Ginebra in the front seat at 117-114 after knocking down a triple before Romeo, who went a perfect 5-of-5 from three-point land, took over.
The Scores
San Miguel 131 – Anosike 35, Perez 28, Romeo 26, Fajardo 23, Lassiter 12, Cruz 5, Tautuaa 2, Ross 0, Rosales 0, Trollano 0, Enciso 0, Manuel 0.
Barangay Ginebra 125 – Brownlee 39, J.Aguilar 29, Thompson 16, Ahanmisi 15, Holt 14, Abarrientos 4, Tenorio 3, Cu 2, Devance 2, Pinto 1, Pessumal 0, Adamos 0.
Quarters: 22-24, 51-47, 85-76, 110-110, 131-125.
– Rappler.com