MANILA, Philippines – The first game of the best-of-seven series between Barangay Ginebra and the San Miguel Beermen in the PBA Philippine Cup semifinals was a grueling 73-71 win for Barangay Ginebra. Even after the victory, the Kings know that their task is far from finished. The Ginebra squad is gearing up for what they anticipate to be a resolute and ferocious response from the Beermen.

Discipline, calmness, and defensive proficiency were put to the test in the first game. In the end, it came down to a last-second defensive stop, but Ginebra pulled out the victory. The win gave the Gin Kings a boost, but it also showed where they can use some work, most notably with their shooting rhythm and offensive consistency.

It was a defensive struggle right from the get-go. One of the worst conference totals was produced by a team that had trouble finding its shooting form. The 71 points scored by San Miguel were significantly lower than their usual production, considering their reputation for a powerful offensive attack and extensive rotation. The Gin Kings avoided an up-speed exchange that would have benefited the Beermen by concentrating on dictating the tempo and playing methodically with the ball and using careful half-court sets.

It was tough for San Miguel to get past Ginebra’s defenses. Because of the Kings’ dogged defense and methodical interior help, the Beermen were unable to maintain their typical scoring pace. Because of contested attempts, forced mistakes, and interruptions to their offensive flow, San Miguel’s shooting percentage plummeted to a worrisome 32.1%.

Among the players who struggled tonight was June Mar Fajardo, a six-time PBA MVP who managed just six points. Among his recent efforts, this one had one of his lowest scoring totals. For the majority of the game, Ginebra’s frontcourt neutralized San Miguel standout Jarrado by body-rotating and collapsing defensively anytime Fajardo earned touches in the post.

The coaching staff of Ginebra is still being careful in light of this unusual underperformance. So far, Fajardo has shown no signs of wanting to remain silent. The Beermen of San Miguel are expected to change up their approach for Game 2 due to the team’s reputation for swiftly adjusting to defeats and the veteran leadership on the roster. It will be difficult for the Gin Kings to contain Fajardo for two games in a row, and San Miguel will surely adjust their offensive sets to give their star big man more playing time.

Although Ginebra’s defensive strategy was well-executed, the offense failed to meet expectations. The Kings’ long-range shooting was erratic and they squandered multiple good opportunities. Game 1 saw them struggle to capitalize on their perimeter shooting, which has been a strength in previous playoff appearances. They were able to remain in the game when their shots weren’t falling because of their hustling plays, rebounding, and transition defense.

The backcourt of Ginebra successfully set a defensive trap in the final seconds of the game, leading to a game-winning theft that kept the lead alive. It was a fitting ending to a game where perseverance, planning, and precision triumphed over spectacular plays.

In anticipation of what they see as a turning point in the series, the Kings are gearing up for Game 2, set to take place on Friday, June 27 at Manila’s Ninoy Aquino Stadium. With two wins in a row, they would have a commanding 2-0 lead, but they are also aware that San Miguel, who is in a tough spot, would be playing with greater aggression and precision.

Ginebra’s plan going forward is to keep the tempo high, slow down San Miguel’s transition offense, and avoid getting into foul trouble too soon while playing defense. The Kings are also trying to figure out how to shoot better and how to move the ball better so they can get better looks from beyond the arc.

The coaching staff is expected to maintain their faith in the team’s veteran core, which consists of Christian Standhardinger, Scottie Thompson, Japeth Aguilar, and LA Tenorio, to provide stability on defense and offense. These veterans have shown they can perform under intense scrutiny and can mentor the younger players as they face the playoffs.