San Miguel Beer is one loss from a sixth straight Governors’ Cup playoff series defeat to Barangay Ginebra. The Beermen trail 0-2 in the best-of-five PBA quarterfinals after a 126-99 blowout.

Ginebra won Game 2 on Friday, Oct. 30, at Ninoy Aquino Stadium in Manila. The Gin Kings can complete the sweep on Tuesday, Nov. 3, at the Dasmariñas Arena in Cavite.

San Miguel Faces Elimination Again

Coach Tim Cone admitted his team did not see this coming after a 104-95 Game 1 win on Tuesday, Oct. 27. “Everyone is surprised about this as I am. We didn’t even dream that we would be able to get out 1-1, much less 2-0,” Cone said.

“We’re definitely on a roll. Our offense is clicking and guys are locked in defensively,” Cone added. “We’re just trying to keep the pressure on San Miguel, keep attacking and keep going at ’em, and so far, it’s working.”

CJ Perez led San Miguel with 18 points, while June Mar Fajardo had 16 points and nine rebounds after managing just three in Game 1. George King was held to 13 points on only nine shots.

The 27-point loss was San Miguel’s heaviest against Ginebra since a 121-92 defeat in Game 5 of the 2024 Governors’ Cup semifinals. Jerrick Ahanmisi added 17 points for the Beermen.

Ginebra’s Murphy Powers Semifinal Push

Import Jordan Murphy posted 33 points, 10 rebounds and nine assists for Ginebra. He had 29 points and 11 rebounds in Game 1 as well.

RJ Abarrientos scored 22 points and Stephen Holt added 19, combining for nine of Ginebra’s 16 three-pointers. The Gin Kings hit eight triples in the first half to lead, 69-62, at the break.

Ginebra then broke the game open with a 33-20 third quarter and won the fourth, 24-17. Scottie Thompson finished with 12 points, 11 assists and seven rebounds as the Gin Kings dished out 32 assists.