After a two-game skid, San Miguel Beer roared back to life with a convincing 95-82 victory over Barangay Ginebra in the PBA Commissioner's Cup Friday night. Chris Ross and Jericho Cruz emerged as the Beermen's heroes, sharing the roles of playmaker and closer to shut down the crowd darlings.
Ross set the tone early, scorching the nets with a game-high 22 points, including a lethal 6-of-9 showing from beyond the arc. He spearheaded San Miguel's early surge, building a comfortable 24-point lead, and later orchestrated the Beermen's counter-attack against Ginebra's fourth-quarter comeback attempt.
Cruz, the designated iceman, took over in the clutch, burying 9 of his 16 points in the final five minutes. His timely shooting quelled Ginebra's late charge, putting distance between the Beermen and their rivals.
This win not only snapped San Miguel's losing streak but also pushed them back into playoff contention. They now sit tied for fifth place with a 4-3 record, breathing new life into their championship aspirations.
"We knew Ginebra would make a run at some point," admitted Ross. "We controlled the game for most of it, but I told the guys they'd come charging back. We had some defensive lapses and didn't share the ball enough, which gave them momentum."
But when Ginebra threatened to close the gap to just four points at 75-79, San Miguel had an answer. Ross ignited a 13-0 run with a clutch triple and layup, followed by two more Ginebra-stifling three-pointers and a layup from Cruz. This decisive stretch put the Beermen comfortably ahead 92-75 with just 1:52 remaining, sealing the victory.
Newly acquired Don Trollano also impressed in his San Miguel debut. The former NLEX Road Warrior contributed 16 points and six rebounds, including 14 points in the first half that helped the Beermen build their cushion.
"I've been praising Don for years," Ross said. "He's a true player. He fit in seamlessly, picked up our systems quickly, and made big shots. He's a complete player, low maintenance, and a valuable addition to our team."
With Ross and Cruz leading the charge and Trollano providing a vital spark, San Miguel Beer seems to be back on track in the Commissioner's Cup. Their win over Ginebra sends a strong message to the rest of the league: the Beermen are back in the hunt, and they're a force to be reckoned with.
Final Score: SMB 95, 82 GIN
Chris Ross: 22 Pts, 8-11 FG, 6-9 3pt, 4 Rebs, 6 Asts, 3 Stls.
Don Trollano: 16 Pts, 6-10 FG, 3-6 3pt, 6 Rebs, 1 Stl, 1Blk.
Jericho Cruz: 16 Pts, 3-7 3pt, 4 Rebs, 2 Asts, 1 Stl.
CJ Perez: 11 Pts, 4-12 FG, 7 Rebs, 5 Asts.
Ivan Aska: 10 Pts, 4-10 FG, 8 Rebs, 3 Asts, 2 Stls.
Terrence Romeo: 9 Pts, 4-12 FG, 1 Reb, 1 Ast.
Moala Tautuaa: 6 Pts, 2-8 FG, 7 Rebs, 2 Asts, 2 Stls.
Marcio Lassiter: 3 Pts, 1-3 3pt, 2 Rebs.
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