Ginebra vs SMB in clash of titans

Game Friday (Smart Araneta Coliseum) 7 p.m. – San Miguel vs Ginebra

All the Kings’ horses and all the Kings’ men are headed to the Finals. Barangay Ginebra San Miguel arranged a PBA Commissioner’s Cup title showdown with defending champion San Miguel Beer after surviving a frantic windup in edging Rain or Shine, 96-94, for a 3-1 win in their semifinal series that ended last night at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.

Ginebra scored seven straight points after Rain or Shine rallied from a double-digit deficit to take a 90-88 lead on Gabe Norwood’s jumper from the foul line. with 2:28 remaining.

Still the Kings needed to thwart a last-ditch effort by Rain or Shine to force overtime with a pair of deflections that sealed the victory.

“I’m so relieved that we wouldn’t play a Game 5 against this team,” said Ginebra coach Tim Cone. “What a battle! What a battle!”

San Miguel and Ginebra begin their best-of-seven duel on Friday at the Big Dome. The Beermen were the first team to reach the title round after a similar 3-1 win over the Alaska Aces in the semis last Sunday.

Greg Slaughter and Joe Devance scored 19 points each and LA Tenorio added 16 points, including a threepointer that put Ginebra in front for good following Norwood’s jumper.

Import Justin Brownlee was held to 12 points on 4-of-14 shooting after going for 44 in Game 3, but that hardly mattered with the way the locals provided the contributions on both ends.

Reggie Johnson produced 22 points, 16 rebounds, five assists and four blocks but Rain or Shine fell short of extending the series to a fifth game.

Devance scored a transition layup off a Beau Belga turnover and Tenorio scored after Scottie Thompson grabbed his 10th rebound for 95-90 lead for Ginebra.

Rain or Shine threatened one final time with a Johnson basket and two Chris Tiu free throws to close in at 95-94.

Jeff Chan was then fouled with 2.6 seconds left and made just one free throw. But the former Elasto Painter hotshot made for the split by deflectthe ball out of bounds off throw-in with 1.4 remaining.

Another deflection foiled Rain or Shine’s bid to stay alive for the final time, allowing Ginebra to move on.

Raymond Almazan added 13 points, six rebounds, Jay Washington provided a spark off the bench with 11 points in nearly 10 minutes and Mark Borboran chipped in 11.

James Yap struggled to hit the mark for the Elasto Painters, going 3-of-11 from the field despite 10 points. up ing t h e