Game Tomorrow

(Araneta Coliseum)

7:00 p.m. — Ginebra vs San Miguel

One more time.

The expected fireworks from defending champion Barangay Ginebra did not come last night, so San Miguel Beer took every opportunity that came its way to live and play for another day.

Getting everything from almost everybody, the Beermen turned back the Kings in Game 6, 98-84, and forced a winner-take-all match in their title showdown in the Motolite-PBA Fiesta Cup Finals last night at the packed Araneta Coliseum.

Freeman, who fouled out late in Game 5, scored 24 points and had 12 rebounds for his 21st double-double, the most this conference. His tomahawk dunk off a steal that gave the Beermen a 90-76 advantage with 4:20 left to play in the game finally took the fight out of the Kings in the game witnessed by 16,039 fans.

"Like I said, we thank God for giving us the opportunity," said SMB mentor Siot Tanquingcen as they evened their best-of-seven title series at 6-6.

Again, Tanguincen paid tribute to their defense.

With momentum back on their side, the Beermen go for the title tomorrow. The Beermen are aching to win the season-ending conference to end a five-year title drought.

San Miguel threatened to rip the game wide apart after posting a 15-point lead, 61-46.

But David Noel and Erick Menk came through with clutch plays that saw the Kings storm back into the contest, 61-64.

Ginebra’s mighty comeback was cut short by free throws of Mike Cortez, Danny Ildefonso and Gabe Freeman. Both Cortez and Freeman split their charities while Ildefonso, booed several times by die-hard Ginebra fans, made both his gift shots.

Both teams started tight and tense but the Kings managed to take a 19-17 edge at the end of the foirst quarter. The last time they were ahead was at 29-28.

The scores:

San Miguel 98 — Freeman 24, Ildefonso 18, Cortez 12, Hontiveros 11, Villanueva 9, Washington 8, Pingris 6, Pennisi 5, Pena 3, Racela 2, Custodio 0.

Ginebra 84 — Noel 16, Menk 15, Tubid 13, Pacana 9, Helterbrand 8, Wilson 7, Salvacion 6, Reavis 6, Lanete 2, Baguio 2, Artadi 0, Mamaril 0.

Quarters: 17-19, 44-34, 68-61, 98-84.