Game Sunday (Araneta Coliseum)
7 p.m. — San Miguel vs Ginebra (Game 3)

With the physicality that took place in the previous game, another all-out war is expected when defending champion Barangay Ginebra and undermanned San Miguel Beer meet in Game 3 of the Motolite-PBA Fiesta Cup Finals Sunday at 7 p.m. the Araneta Coliseum.

The best-of-seven title showdown is tied at 1-1 after the Beermen won the highly-physical and emotional Game 2, 95-78, Friday night.

The Kings drew first blood with a 102-96 triumph last Wednesday.

Emotions actually spilled at courtside when Danny Ildefonso and Marc Pingris charged at some Ginebra fans after the game.

Other SMB players and the Ginebra coaching staff – Jong Uichico, former Beermen Art dela Cruz and Allan Caidic – pacified them.

The two players were meted one-game suspension each for their act by PBA commissioner Sonny Barrios (story below).

In winning Game 2, San Miguel improved on their team defense, holding Ginebra to 26-of-76 or 34.2 percent shooting from the field.

The Beermen also had a tough shooting performance as they went 31-of-78 or 39.7 percent, but they were able to control the rebound department, 57-40, while forcing the Kings to 24 turnovers, which they translated to 17 points.

“The players were more mentally prepared and our defense somehow slowed them down,” SMB mentor Siot Tanquingcen said.

“I expect it to be the same way (physical). I’m sure coach Jong will figure out ways, try to counter what we’re doing and slow us down. We just have to be ready,” Tanquingcen, hoping to win his first title with the team and third as head coach, added.

A total of four technical fouls were called, three on San Miguel.

Early in the game, SMB reinforcement Gabe Freeman, who won the Best Import award and led SMB with 23 points and 17 boards, floored Ginebra point guard Paul Artadi.

Artadi was again knocked down by Washington in the second half, which resulted in the latter getting a technical foul.

Late in the game, Olsen Racela was hit with an elbow on the cheek by Ronald Tubid. Technical fouls were called on Racela and Ginebra’s Rafi Reavis for verbal altercation.

“As the series goes longer, emotions are going to get higher. Stakes are going to get higher. It’s really hard to tell,” Tanquingcen said.

More than the physicality of the game, Uichico, a proud owner of eight PBA titles – winning his first six with SMB and two with Ginebra – said they are focusing more on denying the Beermen control of the game.

“They dominated the game, but we were still in the game throughout (Game 2),” he said. “We’re talking about San Miguel the most talented team in the league.”

“San Miguel came out to play (Game 2), not like in Game 1 when they probably took us for granted. We expected naman to grind every game against San Miguel. So ganun pa din naman and mindset namin, to grind every game. I hope that we get rewarded,” Uichico added.

After scoring 21 points in the series opener, Ginebra playmaker Jayjay Helterbrand only had 15 points in the pervious match on 4-of-10 shooting with three boards and four assists.