SAN Miguel Beer veteran wingman Jericho Cruz muffed two free throws that could have given the Beermen a six-point lead in the last 18.7 seconds against the hard-fighting Converge FiberXers last Sunday night.
Cruz’s two crucial missed freebies left Converge guard Schonny Winston saying one final prayer for a four-point shot.
But it wasn’t answered, and SMB held on for a thrilling 109-105 victory in the deciding Game 5 of their quarterfinals duel in the PBA Governors’ Cup.
Coach Jorge Gallent said their performance against Converge will not hack it when the Beermen clash with the Ginebra Kings in the best-of-7 semifinals starting tomorrow at the PhilSports Arena in Pasig.
Defending champion TNT tackles Rain or Shine in the other race-to-4 showdown for a shot at a slot in the Big Dance of the season-opening tourney.
“It started in Game 3 and 4 when we started to relax and gave them (FiberXers) the opportunity to come back so we just can’t relax against any team we play,” Gallent said. “Against Ginebra we just have to play well. It’s a well-coached team.
“They have great players. We have to play our A-Game for us to have a chance to beat them,” he added.
The hard-earned triumph atoned for the SMB’s painful losses in Game 3 (112-114) and Game 4 (100-114) that enabled Converge to forge a sudden death.
Gallent has reigning eight-time MVP June Mar Fajardo to thank for.
Fajardo powered his way to game-highs of 40 points and 24 rebounds while import EJ Anosike added 23 markers and 10 boards. CJ Perez also had 10 points, six caroms, and nine assists.
“We just went to him, and he just decided on what to do. If he was doubled, he would pass the ball. If not, he took it straight to the basket,” Gallent said of the hulking 6-foot-10 center. “My hat’s off to June Mar, he played his heart out.
“I have nothing to say about this guy except all praises.”
Huffing and puffing, Fajardo said the young FiberXers squad gave them fits.
“Credit sa Converge sa magandang series na ibinigay nila sa atin. Credit kina coach, sa mga teammates ko, nag-step up kami lahat,” he said. “Do-or-die na ito. Kapag natalo, uuwi. Ayaw pa naming umuwi, so kailangan naming manalo. Iyon ang ipinakita namin.”
Reinforcement Jalen Jones paced Converge with 29 points and 17 rebounds while Alec Stockton added 22 and eight dimes.
Bryan Santos and Alex Cabagnot also had 16 and 14 markers, respectively, for the FiberXers.
Asked about his looming match-up with Ginebra big man Japeth Aguilar, Fajardo said he just wants to eat and sleep after the grueling series.
One thing is certain: the “Kraken” will have his hands full anew against the formidable Kings.