San Miguel Beermen’s Jericho Cruz during the PBA Philippine Cup semifinals Game 5 against Barangay Ginebra Gin Kings. –MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.net
MANILA, Philippines—San Miguel Beer showed poise under pressure to pull away late and move closer to the PBA Philippine Cup Finals on Friday at Araneta Coliseum.
The Beermen outlasted Barangay Ginebra, 103-92, for a crucial 3-2 lead in their best-of-seven semifinals series.
LIVE: 2025 PBA Philippine Cup Semifinals – Game 5 – July 4
But closing the game out was anything but a cakewalk for the decorated franchise, which had to be nearly flawless in the dying minutes.
“We had a bad first quarter and we had 50-50 balls but we were able to recover because they realized that this game was really important to us,” said coach Leo Austria.
San Miguel Beer’s Jericho Cruz and coach Leo Austria after winning Game 5 vs. Ginebra. | @MeloFuertesINQ pic.twitter.com/PdFC5RqFDj
— INQUIRER Sports (@INQUIRERSports) July 4, 2025
“We lose, we win, we lose, we win so I told the boys that they need to win because Game 5 is really, really crucial. Usually, the winner of Game 5 has a huge chance of getting to the Finals.”
READ: PBA: June Mar Fajardo’s return as starter works wonders for San Miguel
With 3:54 left in the fourth, Ginebra trailed by just two, 90-88. But CJ Perez drilled a triple and Don Trollano added a hook shot inside to give San Miguel more breathing room, 95-88, with 3:03 remaining.
Japeth Aguilar was able to get up for a tough short stab to Ginebra within 95-90 with 2:07 to go but San Miguel made sure that was the closest the rival could get.
San Miguel Beermen’s CJ Perez during the PBA Philippine Cup semifinals Game 5 against Barangay Ginebra Gin Kings. –MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.net
Perez poured in 31 points, while June Mar Fajardo contributed 14 points and 12 rebounds. Jericho Cruz, however, was the x-factor, delivering 27 points off the bench along with four steals.
“I was always getting open so I had to hit my shots,” said Cruz. “I’m confident with my shots because I practice them a lot.”
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Mav Ahanmisi led Ginebra with 19 points off the bench to no avail. Troy Rosario added a double-double of 11 points and 16 rebounds in the loss.
The Beermen look to close the series out on Sunday at the same venue.
