2008 KFC-PBA Phil Cup: SMB nips Ginebra, Advance to Semis

In the end, the San Miguel Beermen showed it has more left in the tank as it came back from twenty-one points down and outhustled the Baranggay Ginebra Gin Kings the rest of the way to win, 98-93 in do-or-die Game 3 and advance to the semifinals of the 2008 KFC-PBA Phil. Cup at the Araneta Coliseum.

Dondon Hontiveros delivered another monster performance, this time with a win, to power the Beermen's win. After a career 35 point game in a Game 2 loss against the Kings, Hontiveros provided intensity both ends of the court in the second half to thwart Ginebra's dreams of advancing to the next round.

San Miguel bucked a slow start aided by the ejection of veteran floor general Olsen Racela to the end the first half down by thirteen, 49 - 36 in favor of Ginebra.

The Kings opened up the 2nd half with guns ablazing in the outside. Salvacion, Helterbrand and Artadi connected on treys in consecutive possessions. Valenzuela's turn around jumper gave Ginebra its biggest lead, 62-41 just over half of the 3rd quarter.

With a 21 point deficit staring them in the face, the Beermen started fighting back. Their intensified defense allowed a meager 8 points for the Kings the rest of the quarter. Ginebra's outside shooting became sour that made San Miguel's zone look impregnable.

Hontiveros led his team with a couple of steals and streak shooting. Lordy Tugade who was scoreless in the first half finally joined the fray as they conspire to trimm the King's lead to just three, 67 - 70.

The fourth quarter turned into a Hontiveros and SMB defense show.

Hontiveros tied the game with a trey. After Menk's basket inside gave the lead back to Ginebra, Rookie Bonbon Custodio gave the Beermen its first taste of the lead with a long 2, 80 - 78 a little less than seven minutes left in the game.

The game turned into a nip and tuck affair. Tubid gave the lead back to te Kings with a three but Tugade answered with a three of his own. Hontiveros converts a stop-and-pop long 2 but Helterbrand and Wilson each made a basket to tie the game for the last time at 85.

Custodio's hang time move gave the lead for good to the San Miguel. Two steals by the Beermen translated to Hontiveros' five straight points that proved to be the turning point of the game as they lead 92 - 85.

Custodio's basket on a gutsy drive and Tugade's basket sandwiched Menk's free throws as San Miguel enjoyed its biggest lead, 96 - 87.

Helterbrand and Salvacion made a trey each to make it more interesting at 93 - 96 but that proved to be a little too late. Hontiveros made an insurance free throw 97 - 94 and Pingris got the offensive rebound. Pingris finished the scoring 98 - 93.

SMB completes semifinal cast and will face the Talk N' Text Tropang Texters. The other semifinal pits the Alaska Aces against the Sta. Lucia Realtors.

Racela was ejected after being given with a flarant foul 2 in the first half.