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The San Miguel Beermen take on the Meralco Bolts in the PBA Philippine Cup final. –MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.net
Schedule: PBA Finals San Miguel vs. Meralco
MANILA, Philippines — There’s a common belief in basketball circles that when a best-of-seven series is tied 2-2, whoever wins Game 5 wins the entire series.
Although this has been proven in the past few series, players from Meralco and San Miguel do not think the same will happen in the ongoing PBA Philippine Cup Finals.
Just ask Chris Newsome and Chris Ross, who will lead their respective teams in what is now a best-of-three All-Filipino Series for the All-Filipino trophy.
“I’ve seen a lot of crazy things in this series,” Newsome joked after his team’s 111-101 loss to the Beermen in Game 4 of the finals Wednesday at Araneta Coliseum.
read: PBA Finals: San Miguel comes from behind to tie Meralco 2-2
“You can never underestimate a team because the goal now is to win two games. It doesn’t matter how you win the two games. You can win the first game, lose the second game and win the third game, or lose the first game and win two games in a row.”
The crucial fifth game of the finals will be held on Friday.
Newsome and the Lightning could have avoided a 2-2 deadlock, but the Beermen found their footing in time to tie the game again.
Despite Newsome’s career-high 40 points on 66% shooting, Meralco was unable to tame the behemoth that is June Mar Fajardo.
Take “Beeracle” as an example
San Miguel Beermen center Junimal Fajardo leads his team in Game 4 of the PBA Philippine Cup finals against the Meralco Bolts. –MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.net
Fajardo, who was named the league’s best player minutes before the game began, proved worthy of the honor with 28 points and 13 rebounds, pushing San Miguel to a two-game series win.
Fajardo is no stranger to crunch-time pressure. After all, he was a big part of the “Beer Monsters” in PBA history, Newsome acknowledged, with the series reaching a climax after Game 4.
“I always think back to the game the Bucs had to win four in a row, so even if we lose that game (Game 5), it’s definitely not out of the question, but it really depends on who plays well, who makes shots, who’s more focused,” the Gilas guard said.
Chris Ross emerged from the San Miguel dugout moments after Newsome left the Dome.
read: PBA Finals: June Mar Fajardo tied down is key to Meralco’s success
Sure, his team had an important win, but Rose didn’t look very happy.
Like Newsome, he doesn’t believe whoever wins Game 5 will win the best-of-seven series.
“This is a Final Four, you win it either way, you win it either way. We know it’s going to be a long game,” said a focused Ross.
“We know they are a good team and we are a good team. They are fighting for their first trophy and we are fighting to retain it,” he added.
Rose performed poorly on the offensive end, making only one of six shots and scoring only 6 points.
However, Rose made a positive impact for the Beermen. He provided six assists to his teammates and created chances for San Miguel in this momentous victory. He also had four steals and shocked Meralco on offense.
But Rose means business next time around and he doesn’t care how long it takes the Beermen to get there, as long as his team wins its second straight PBA title.
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“I don’t really care how long the game lasts, as long as we win. We’re ready for anything.”
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