Quite the scare
ANTIPOLO—San Miguel Beer turned what looked like an epic collapse into a great escape on Saturday to remain unbeaten in the PBA Governors’ Cup.
And for import George King, their 109-104 win over Juami Tiongson and the Terrafirma Dyip on Saturday at the Ynares Center here should be considered something the Beermen needed to endure moving forward.
“We’re still trying to find our chemistry. And luckily, we have a long season ahead of us,” King said. “But in order for us to build chemistry, to build team character, we have to go through games like this.”
King finished with 37 points, 14 rebounds and three steals to help keep San Miguel perfect in Group A.
It appeared the Beermen were going to breeze past the Dyip when they led by a high of 21 in the second quarter and 66-46 at the half.
But Terrafirma willed its way back, led by import Justin Strings and Tiongson, who faced his former team for the first time since being traded after the Commissioner’s Cup for Jerrick Ahanmisi.
It appeared Tiongson would end up being the hero when his three got the Dyip ahead 104-101 with a minute to go. But a couple of turnovers on his part allowed King to score the crucial baskets that gave the Beermen the lead back in the final seconds.
In the end, San Miguel got the win, and Terrafirma absorbed another failed comeback, the third in a row, to fall to 1-3.
“We were fortunate there,” King said. “At that point of the game, it could have gone either way. It could have easily been Terrafirma right here [at the press conference podium] before you guys (media). Luckily, our defense at that moment turned up.
“But I think if you look at what led to us being in that situation, I would say the last eight minutes or so. We have to credit Terrafirma. Juami showed me a lot. Obviously Strings is Strings. But Juami was great for them and hurt us, hurt us late. But I think that we need moments like this as a team.”
King converted two free throws and a basket off two Tiongson turnovers in a span of nine seconds, and San Miguel went ahead 105-104. Terrafirma failed to convert on its next two possessions to seal the deal.
Meanwhile, Commissioner’s Cup champion Barangay Ginebra and losing finalist TNT finally see action on Sunday when they face separate opponents at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
Ginebra, parading Riley Grigsby while Justin Brownlee is on the mend, plays a Phoenix squad at 7:30 p.m. that will suit up with new addition Gian Mamuyac, who was acquired in a trade with Rain or Shine.
TNT faces lowly Macau in the opener at 5:15 p.m., but will have some players out due to injuries.
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