Game Sunday (Araneta Coliseum)
6 p.m. — Ginebra vs San Miguel
MANILA, Philippines — Crowd darling Barangay Ginebra fights for dear life against San Miguel Beer in Game 6 of their semifinal showdown in the PBA Philippine Cup playoffs this Sunday at the Araneta Colisuem.
The Beermen still lead the seven-game series, 3-2, but the Kings have the momentum in the lone game at 6 p.m.
Ginebra lived for another day when it downed SMB, 102-76, Friday.
SMB playmaker Alex Cabagnot, who missed Game 5 due to tonsilitis, remains a doubtful starter.
San Miguel Beer rookie coach Ato Agustin said they have to come out strong.
“No more excuses,” Agustin said. “We need to play better, we’ll see. Hopefully, Alex will get better so he can play. We need his energy.”
The Beermen are gunning for a 32nd Finals stint overall and eighth in an all-Filipino conference.
Agustin will also rely on Jay Washington and Arwind Santos, Dondon Hontiveros, Danny Ildefonso, Danny Seigle, Paul Artadi, Joseph Yeo and Olsen Racela.
A victory will bring the Beermen to the finals against Talk ‘N Text.
The Tropang Texters dethroned the B-Meg Derby Ace Llamados, 89- 72, to end their best-of-seven series, 4-2.
Game 1 of the championship round is set Saturday in Victorias City, Negros Occidental.
Ginebra back-up guard Mike Cortez shone brightest for the Kings Friday as he scattered 16 points, while bigmen Rico Villanueva and Eric Menk provided help with 13 and 12 points, respectively.
The same effort is what Ginebra coach Jong Uichico wants from his team that also includes former two-time MVP Willie Miller, 2008 MVP Jayjay Helterbrand, Mark Caguioa, Rudy Hatfield, Ronald Tubid, WillieWilson and JC Intal.
In the 36-year history of the PBA, only two teams forced and won Game 7 of the series.
Ginebra, led by the legendary Robert Jaworski, defeated Shell during the 1991 PBA First Conference Finals, while Purefoods equaled the feat by beating Alaska in the 2006 Philippine Cup semifinals.
“We just fought to survive. Just another game and extended the series,” said Ginebra mentor Jong Uichico.
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