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Cruz, Perez connive as SMB stuns Ginebra in Game 5 to close in on Finals return

Sports | Basketball

Cruz, Perez connive as SMB stuns Ginebra in Game 5 to close in on Finals return

By Reynald I. Magallon

At A Glance

San Miguel bucked a slow start and then leaned on the hot hands of Jericho Cruz and CJ Perez to turn back Barangay Ginebra, 103-92, in the pivotal Game 5 of their PBA Season 49 Philippine Cup semifinals at the Smart Araneta Coliseum on Friday, July 4.

San Miguel bucked a slow start and then leaned on the hot hands of Jericho Cruz and CJ Perez to turn back Barangay Ginebra, 103-92, in the pivotal Game 5 of their PBA Season 49 Philippine Cup semifinals at the Smart Araneta Coliseum on Friday, July 4.

The Beermen had a lethargic start to the contest but Cruz injected life to the fight of SMB before Perez delivered the killing blows in the fourth quarter to take lead in the series for the first time, 3-2.

Cruz had 23 of his 27 points in the middle quarters where SMB erased an early 14-point deficit and then took the lead, 74-71, heading into the final frame.

Perez exploded for a game-high 31 points – none bigger than his back-to-back conversions, first on a jumper and then a hard drive to the basket to give the Beermen a comfortable, 101-92, lead with 30 seconds left.

June Mar Fajardo posted a double-double of 14 points and 12 rebounds laced with six assists and three blocks while Don Trollano had nine of his 11 points during the telling SMB run in the final frame.

San Miguel will try to close out the series in Game 6 still at the Big Dome on Sunday, July 6.

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