SMB, Ginebra ready to take upper hand in Game 3

Following two blowout games from both sides, expect Game 3 of the PBA Commissioner’s Cup finals between the San Miguel Beermen and the Barangay Gin Kings tonight in the Araneta Coliseum to be both physical and unpredictable.

“A blowout win for them in Game One and a blowout win for Game Two. I think you’ll really never know what will happen in the series,” said San Miguel head coach Leo Austria in a report posted on PBA.ph.

Ginebra destroyed San Miguel, 127-99, in Game 1 led by Justin Brownlee’s 42 points. The Beermen bounced back in Game 2 with a 134-109 whipping of the Gin Kings led by Alex Cabagnot’s 33 points.

Game 2 got heated with two San Miguel players sent off. Arwind Santos was ejected with a flagrant foul on Scottie Thompson, while Chris Ross was also sent out later in that game after being slapped with his second technical foul.

“Sana hindi nangyari (I hope it didn’t happen), but it’s because of intensity. Or maybe, they want to show to their teammates they’re out there ready to fight,” said Austria. “Can’t blame them. But next time, they should be smart. We can’t afford those technical fouls especially if it’s a close game. As a coach, ayokong mangyari yung ganon (I don’t wan’t it to happen).” In Game 2, Cabagnot, Marcio Lassiter, Arwind Santos and June Mar Fajardo stepped up after underperforming in Game 1.

Fajardo scored 25 points, Lassiter had 20, while Santos added 14. All four combed for just 34 points in Game 1. San Miguel import Renaldo Balkman and backup big man Christian Standhardinger had 20 points each in Game 2.

“We watched extensive film and I’m glad that we made the right adjustments and it worked. (But) not necessarily it’s gonna worlk on Wednesday so we still have to stay ahead of the learning curve, maybe we could continue what we did today (Sunday),” said Cabagnot. /