00:00The San Miguel Behrman clinched the final spot in the PBA Season 49 Philippine Cup Finals after defeating Barangay Ginebra, San Miguel, in Game 7 of the Semi-Finals, 100-93 held at the Araneta Coliseum on Wednesday night. Here is the report from Kate Austria.
00:18The San Miguel Behrman are once again one step away from winning supreme in the All-Philippine Conference of the PBA's 49th season. After a 3-7 game semi-finals series, NCB prevailed over Barangay Ginebra, San Miguel, in Game 7 at the Araneta Coliseum on Wednesday night. But the Behrman had to go through the difficult victory as Ginebra's half outside shooting gave them the edge throughout most of the first half. Despite struggling, San Miguel dominated the shaded area to keep the game close.
00:47In the final minutes of the second quarter, the Behrman unleashed a 12-1 to grab a 1-point lead at halftime 45-44. In the second half, Ginebra regained momentum and built a 7-point cushion entering the final period. But NCB opened the fourth quarter with a 15-4 run to take back the lead against Ginebra.
01:06With relentless defense and consistent scoring, the Behrman never looked back despite multiple attempts by the Ginegings to rally. The final score in Game 7, 100-93 in favor of the Behrman, who returned to the All-Philippine Finals after falling short against Morocco last season.
01:23Chris Russ led the lead for SMB with 19 points, 7 assists, and 4 steals. While Junmar Fajardo once again delivered MVP caliber numbers with 21 points, 90 rebounds, and 2 blocks.
01:36I know I still have it. It's just opportunity. I feel like my body is as healthy as it's been in a while. And I just, like, I wouldn't say I like proving people wrong, but I just play how I play.
01:55I feel like in the last 10 years, the top point guards are Jason, LA, and myself. And I don't get the credit that those guys get, but I feel like my resume and my accolades match up with anyone.
02:13So it was just my way of going and proving myself. And with my lady over here watching and my baby, I just wanted to make them proud.
02:21Behrman head coach Lea Austria praises players and admitted his mistake of not utilizing the veteran guard Ross in Game 6.
02:30Everybody step up, especially Chris Ross. And then Chris Ross was not able to play last game. And I approached him and I told him that I'm so sorry what happened. I'm so guilty at the time.
02:45But Chris Ross is a veteran. Alam natin, he's a playoff player. And there's a lot of people na I have to take my role as a head coach.
02:56Kung ano sinasabi nila, I will take the responsibility. And that's what happened because I know him. He's a playoff guy.
03:04The Behrman will now face the Grand Slam seeking TNT Tropanguika in the finals.
03:14Case Austria from the national TV network for new and better Philippines.
