At the Smart-Araneta Coliseum on Friday in the 2023 PBA Governors’ Cup, San Miguel held off a late Barangay Ginebra charge to come out on top 102-99.

Before Scottie Thompson capped a late Ginebra triumphant return with a steal and a basket that cut the deficit to one, 100-99, with 26.7 seconds to play, the Beermen appeared to be running away with the victory after leading by as many as 13.

With 8.8 seconds left, Beermen import Cameron Clark, assisted by Simon Encisco, nailed a layup to restore a three-point lead for the team.

In Ginebra’s final play of the game, Nards Pinto missed a three-point attempt, and as time ran out, he threw the ball away after the Kings grabbed the rebound.

San Miguel defeated Ginebra for the second time in a row with the narrow victory, returning to the top of the team standings with a 7-1 win-loss record going into their big game on Sunday.

In the energizing success that advanced the Beermen closer to a quarterfinal berth in Jorge Gallent’s first full conference as coach, Clark successfully completed with 35 points and 10 rebounds while CJ Perez scored 20 points.

He described Ginebra as being tough. A well-coached team never gives up. According to Gallent, in order for them to succeed, they must play 48 minutes of basketball and deny their opponents the chance to profit from their mistakes.

He characterized Ginebra as a hardy bunch. This team has been well-coached and never gives up. Gallent claims that if they play 48 minutes of basketball and prevent their opponents from taking advantage of their mistakes, they will succeed.

Christian Standhardinger, who filled in for the injured Japeth Aguilar and had 29 points and 10 rebounds, was let down by the defeat. Jeremiah Gray led Ginebra with 14 points, while Justin Brownlee finished with 21 points, 10 rebounds, and 9 assists.

If it were not for Clark’s outstanding defensive effort, the Gin Kings’ comeback attempt would have been successful much earlier. With 2:32 left, Clark defeated Thompson with a chase down block. He managed to score on the following offensive play with a slam, giving San Miguel a 98-87 advantage.

Nards Pinto’s three-pointer was part of Ginebra’s 10 straight points in response, but they were unable to finish the job.

The Scores

San Miguel 102 – Clark, 35, Perez, 20, Fajardo, 12, Manuel, 10, Lassiter, 6, Enciso, 5, Brondial, 4, Ross, 2, Bulanadi, 0, Tautuaa

Barangay Ginebra 99 – Standhardinger, 29, Brownlee, 21, Gray, 14, Thompson, 13, Malonzo, 9, Pringle, 6, Pinto, 6, Mariano, 1, and Tenorio 0

Quarter scores: 24-21; 50-47; 82-72; 102-99