BREAKING the stalemate.
This is where they are, their new starting point after splitting the first two games and heading to Game 3 of their PBA Philippine Cup best-of-seven semifinals showdown.
The San Miguel Beermen and the Barangay Ginebra Kings have sized up one another in matches played before a good number of crowd both in Game 1 at the MOA Arena in Pasay City on Wednesday and Game 2 over at the Ninoy Aquino Stadium in Manila on Friday.
But it will continue to be a chess-like match but with action getting fiercer, pulse beating faster as the Beermen and the Kings dispute the 2-1 series lead before an expected bigger crowd at the Smart Araneta Coliseum Sunday.
The Kings bucked an 18-point deficit in stealing Game 1, 73-71, but the Beermen played a lot wiser in the next game, banking on the depth of their lineup to overcome the health condition of June Mar Fajardo in a series-tying 100-83 victory.
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Fajardo is likely to continue to play managed minutes but with confidence that his teammates would be there behind him.
"Ang strength ng team ay na kay June Mar. But don't forget, the strength of June Mar is with his teammates," said SMB coach Leo Austria shortly after Game 2.
SMB's depth was in full display on Friday with six players scoring in double figures as they carried the cudgels with The Kraken hobbled by a calf injury.
"He was given the go signal by the doctor. But knowing his injury, we don't want to aggravate it if we will force him to play. Before the game, he was one of the early birds so that means he wants to play. But, the good thing with him is he knows his situation and he asked me 'coach don't start me,'" said Austria.
With Fajardo limited to a little over 17 minutes of action, the Beermen were still able to assert themselves, winning the rebounding battle, 49-38, and making their shots on a 48.8-percent clip compared to the Gin Kings' 42.5.
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Fajardo promises to deliver what he can.
"Lahat naman tayo gustong manalo. So kahit managed minutes laro lang," said JMF.
With their 18-point blowout in Game 2 and in barely stealing Game 1, the Gin Kings are convinced they have a job cut out for them.
But they're ready to come out and put the toughest fight that they can.(SB)
