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Manila Bulletin devider Sports devider Basketball devider 'We learned our lessons': SMB eager to finish off Ginebra

'We learned our lessons': SMB eager to finish off Ginebra

Published Jan 15, 2026 02:00 pm

At A Glance

  • The last time San Miguel and Barangay Ginebra figured in an all-crucial Game 6 was just the last conference with LA Tenorio's buzzer-beating triple capping the Kings' patented "Never-Say-Die" comeback to force a Game 7.



The last time San Miguel and Barangay Ginebra figured in an all-crucial Game 6 was just the last conference with LA Tenorio’s buzzer-beating triple capping the Kings’ patented "Never-Say-Die" comeback to force a Game 7.

Fast forward to the present time, the two powerhouse squads meet at center stage— except that Tenorio is no longer with Ginebra and San Miguel has noted all the lessons from that defeat.

It’s now an all-out war as San Miguel go for the kill while Ginebra fight to live for another day in Game 6 of their best-of-seven semifinals series at the Smart Araneta Coliseum on Friday, Jan. 16.

Tip-off of the clash is at 7:30 p.m. with the Beermen looking to arrange a last dance with the TNT Tropang 5G while the Kings are hoping to force a rubber match on Sunday.

But SMB head coach Leo Austria is well aware of Ginebra’s NSD mantra as he expects the wards of Tim Cone to come out with a sense of urgency.

“That is a possibility (to happen again),” Austria said recalling Tenorio’s Game 6 heroics last conference.

"We know NSB, Ginebra, they are always trying to look for important shots. And it's good that LA Tenorio wasn't here earlier because their last shot probably would be a four," he added after the 115-109 victory that put the Beermen at the PBA Finals doorsteps.

Though comfortably ahead in the last two minutes, the Kings went for a desperate rally and threatened the Beermen, 109-111, after an RJ Abarrientos triple with 13 seconds left.

And the Beermen couldn’t get the sigh of relief until Chris Ross collared the rebound of CJ Perez free-throw misses and June Mar Fajardo took care of his own charities.

To finally dispatch Ginebra, however, it would need another stellar showing from Fajardo and Marcio Lassiter – two players who broke out of their slump in Game 5. After a pair of single digit scoring, Fajardo finished with 17 points while Lassiter, after a scoreless outing last game, chipped in 16 built on four three-pointers.

But for Ginebra, it needs more than another near-triple-double from Scottie Thompson or the scoring outburst from Abarrientos. The Kings need their bench to step up once more to force the winner-take-all.

“That's where our focus is gonna be in Game 6.”

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