Photo by Nuki Sabio
Barangay Ginebra San Miguel pulled through with a 94-91 thriller over the San Mig Super Coffee Mixers in Game Six of their PLDT Home DSL Philippine Cup semifinals series on Monday at SMART-Araneta Coliseum.
The win forced a do-or-die Game Seven in their Manila Clasico semifinals series on Wednesday for the right to face Rain or Shine in the championship round.
The Mixers controlled the first half, opening up a 50-41 spread behind their energetic second unit of Mark Barroca and Justin Melton.
But Ginebra, led by stars Mark Caguioa and LA Tenorio, came roaring back, even taking a 78-77 lead.
Instead of panicking, Pingris took over for San Mig Coffee, repeatedly scoring inside over Ginebra’s taller defenders.
San Mig Coffee still led, 84-79, before the Gin Kings unleashed a 9-2 run to take an 88-86 advantage.
Peter June Simon responded with a three-point play over Greg Slaughter to give the Mixers back the edge with two minutes remaining.
LA Tenorio missed an open three-point attempt in the ensuing possession. James Yap missed his own shot from long distance on the other end, but Simon recovered possession for a putback jumper for a 91-88 lead.
The Gin Kings were in trouble in their next play, before Slaughter hit a tough jumper while drawing a foul from Rafi Reavis.
Slaughter missed the bonus free throw, but Ginebra was able to recover the offensive rebound.
Barroca missed an open three-pointer in San Mig Coffee’s next play, and Yap was called for a foul on Caguioa on the rebound.
The 2012 PBA Most Valuable Player nailed both free throws for a 92-91 Ginebra lead with 16.2 seconds remaining.
Simon missed a shot to tie the game, and Slaughter nailed two more free throws for a three-point lead with two seconds left.
Slaughter finished with 20 point and 11 rebounds for the Gin Kings.