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Manila Bulletin devider Sports devider Basketball devider Armed with faith, Kings try to slay mighty Beermen

Armed with faith, Kings try to slay mighty Beermen

Published Jan 14, 2026 02:01 pm

At A Glance

  • The Kings fell to a 1-2 deficit against the Beermen and the chances for Ginebra looked bleak after a dominant showing from SMB in Game 3. And naturally, the Kings began doubting against the same team that has been the benchmark in all-Filipino conference,

Miracles only happen to those who believe.

And for Barangay Ginebra, it is the belief they can beat the mighty San Miguel that is a tangible weapon in their best-of-seven semifinals affair.

The Kings fell to a 1-2 deficit against the Beermen and the chances for Ginebra looked bleak after a dominant showing from SMB in Game 3. And naturally, the Kings began doubting against the same team that has been the benchmark in all-Filipino conference,

But the wards of head coach Tim Cone not only displayed courage but more importantly the unwavering resolve to push the series to a virtual best-of-three affair.

“I think that’s the biggest battle that we have to overcome – just the belief that we can beat this team,” said Cone after Ginebra’s 105-91 win over SMB in Game 4.

"They're such a legendary team in the All-Filipino. June Mar is legendary. It's quite intimidating to play them,” he added.

But SMB isn’t the only team that has a Most Valuable Player in its squad. Ginebra rode on a career night from the only player ever to win the top plum in Fajardo’s era in the PBA — Scottie Thompson.

The one-time MVP fired 35 points to go with 11 rebounds and 11 assists to tow Ginebra to the win.

“I felt we kind of had that tonight. I didn't feel like we had that in Game 3, that sense that we could win. But I think we had that tonight, and that's really the biggest battle that we have to overcome, just the belief that we can beat this team,” said Cone.

Ginebra, though, needs more than just belief if it wishes to really win the series. For one, the Kings managed to drag SMB to a Game 7 last all-Filipino only to lose against the eventual champion.

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