San Miguel import Gabe Freeman blocks the shot of Alaska counterpart Diamon Simpson during Game 3 of the PBA Fiesta Cup Finals Wednesday night at the Araneta Coliseum. The Beermen beat the Aces, 96-80. (Photo by TONY PIONILLA)

Game this Friday (Astrodome, Pasay City)
7 p.m. – San Miguel vs Alaska

After avoiding what could have been an insurmountable 0-3 hole, defending champion San Miguel Beer will now try to level its best-of-seven championship showdown with Alaska as they play Game 4 of the PBA Fiesta Cup Finals this Friday at the Astrodome in Pasay City.

The Aces still lead the series, 2-1, but the momentum is definitely on San Miguel’s side when they clash at 7 p.m.

Playing with energy and intensity, the Beermen pounded the Aces in almost all departments to hammer out an impressive 96-80 win Wednesday night at the Araneta Coliseum that prevented them from falling into a 0-3 hole where no team has ever recovered.

The defeat stunned the Aces back to reality. Alaska had appeared ready to put the icing on the cake after surprisingly winning the first two games against he well-rested San Miguel but the rigors of playing seven games against Talk ‘N Text in the semifinals finally took its toll.

SMB was able to maximize its talent as back-to-back Best Import winner Gabriel Freeman collected 24 points and 20 rebounds, with three assists and three steals in 42 minutes of action.

Freeman was finally able to outclass Alaska’s Diamon Simpson simply by avoiding getting nto foul trouble as what happened in Games 1 and 2.

Forwards Jay Washington, the Best Player of the Conference, and Arwind Santos, both named to the Mythical First Team, also came through with big numbers. Washington had 23 points and 10 boards while Santos added 18 and five rebounds.

Despite their run-away win, San Miguel coach Siot Tanquingcen knows that they cannot relax against a disciplined team like Alaska.

“We can’t relax,” said Tanquingcen, who is 3-0 in his first three Finals appearances. “Very simple, if we relax we’ll be down 1-3. Knowing (Alaska) coach Tim Cone, he’s really good in adjusting in a series.”

“I’m sure they’re going to make adjustment. Whoever, I think, can play their style, that team will have the advantage (of winning Game 4),” he added.

In all three games, San Miguel has dictated the rebounding, although in the previous game, it showed the Beermen’s frontline edge when they controlled the boards, 49-29., which led to 15 second chance points.

Also, they forced the Aces to 23 turnovers, 10 more than their average of 13 in the first two games of the series.

“We let them play to their formidable talent. We fell under the trap,” said Alaska coach Tim Cone, referring to the observation that things will be easy after they took a 2-0 lead following wins in Game 1 (89-83) and 2 (94-90).

“Probably we need it (Game 3 beating). Now we’re back to reality. The only way to win a championship is the hard way. Back to reality for us, but we’re okay with that. We’re good with that.”