Jul 08, 2025

Beermen, Kings duel in one final game in classic semis clash

AND it's down to one final game, one final push and last hurrah in the San Miguel Beer-Barangay Ginebra confrontation.

Tear apart and throw all the stats out of the window. Forget Ginebra's victories in Games 1, 3 and 6 and forget too SMB's triumphs in Games 2, 4 and 5. Let sleep in sweep lullaby the euphoria of LA Tenorio's Game 6 heroics.

It's all about this one final game now, with the winner extending their journey to the championship stage and the loser - as the hecklers would say - to pack their luggage for a Boracay vacation.

All square at 3-3 after Ginebra's 88-87 steal Sunday, the Beermen and the Gin Kings duke it out at 7:30 p.m. at the Smart Araneta Coliseum Wednesday, disputing the last spot in PBA Season 49 Philippine Cup finals and the badge and burden to challenge the TNT Tropang 5G in their bid to complete a Grand Slam.

But to stop TNT's quest can wait.

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The Beermen and the Kings would be laser focused at one another, and, in the end, it could be a question of desire and determination.

Take into consideration June Mar Fajardo, Scottie Thompson and many of their teammates hobbling and all, but are marching on and fighting with their keen desire to save their season.

"Wala ng injury," said Fajardo, expressing grit and heart to play through his health issue with his determination to get a shot at the coveted all-Filipino crown.

Thompson said healing time for his hamstring injury can wait a little while.

Instead, everyone's bracing for war to end a duel of attrition.

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Ginebra coach Tim Cone said it's a new game and they need to prepare accordingly.

San Miguel coach Leo Austria can't disagree. (SB)