MANILA, Philippines – Game 2 of the Philippine Cup semifinal series saw the San Miguel Beermen mount a strong comeback, defeating Barangay Ginebra 100-83. The score tied the best-of-seven series at one game apiece. The Beermen’s depth and competitive tenacity were shown by this strong response, which came two days after they blew an 18-point lead in Game 1. Additionally, star center June Mar Fajardo battled a calf ailment.

With Fajardo out for 17 minutes with a calf injury, San Miguel nevertheless managed to show its usual tenacity. The depth of the Beermen’s roster was on full display in their overwhelming victory, even with their senior center out with an injury.

Even though Fajardo only scored two points, just being on the team inspired everyone. Despite the decisive win, the Beermen were still careful with his load, making sure he contributed on the boards and with floor spacing before he left to avoid injury.

A balanced effort was on display in San Miguel’s performance. With 16 points and four threes out of five attempts, Marcio Lassiter once again proved his three-point shooting skill after missing in Game 1. With contributions of 14, 13, and 11 points from Don Trollano, Kris Rosales, and Jericho Cruz, respectively, the second unit was energized as Ginebra remained on its toes.

In support of Fajardo up top, Moala Tautuaa had a double-double, grabbing ten boards and ten points, establishing herself as a force to be reckoned with. The offensive balance was maintained by San Miguel’s rotation, while CJ Perez chipped in 11 points.

After shooting a pitiful 32% in Game 1, San Miguel exploded to 48.8% in Game 2. The first seven games were crucial, since they set the tone for the rest of the game. Lassiter scored back-to-back threes to start a 21-9 run.

Once the margin became wider, Ginebra was unable to come back. San Miguel showed great defensive consistency and execution on both ends of the floor, extending their advantage to as many as 23 points.

Barangay Ginebra lost to San Miguel in a decisive offensive struggle, despite 17 points from Stephen Holt and other strong performances from the team. The Ginebra shooting game went back to its usual ways, with both outside and inside attempts missing the mark due to the Beermen’s determined defense and their ability to capitalize on every mismatch.

Now that the Beermen are back and firing, Ginebra must regroup and figure out what went wrong in Game 2.

With Game 3 set to take place at Quezon City’s Smart Araneta Coliseum, the series is officially tied at one game apiece. As a result of its improved shooting and depth contribution, San Miguel comes into the match with a confidence boost, while Ginebra needs to readjust its strategy after losing steam.

With Fajardo out with an injury, San Miguel proved it could still win, proving its depth, selfless offense, and bench production are its strongest suits. Meanwhile, Ginebra needs to step up their game in every aspect, especially defensively, to stop San Miguel from scoring points from beyond the paint and limit their own turnovers.

San Miguel is able to keep its rotation options open because they have mastered the art of managing the frontcourt while shooting from the outside. Their bench scoring and fast-paced attack have the potential to put Ginebra’s defense under even more pressure in game endings.

Ginebra has to improve their half-court sets, shoot better from beyond the arc, and shore up their interior defense, particularly against players like Fajardo and Tautuaa. Now the emotional and physical burden is on them; the Araneta crowd could give them an edge if they can coordinate their moves.

Two of the most illustrious dynasties in league history have met in this semifinal series, creating quite a narrative clash. San Miguel’s illustrious past and strengthened empire serve as a constant reminder of their status as PBA royalty. The storied tradition and enormous fan base of Barangay Ginebra have given the team the resilience they need, but they will need to demonstrate it with even more regularity now.

The second game was a wake-up call: despite Ginebra’s theft of Game 1, San Miguel responded with a decisive victory. Whether it’s for more strategic chess, intense rivalries, or just star power, the public is expecting a lot from both teams as they prepare for Game 3.