The Daily Tribune <<< Without Fear or Favor >>>

San Miguel Beer and crowd-favorite Brgy. Ginebra dispute the fourth and last semifinal berth today and both are carrying critical amount of momentum going to the deciding Game Three of their quarterfinal series in the KFC-PBA Philippine Cup.

The Beermen won Game One last Wednesday, 78-77, and had a good account when they managed to wipe out 18 points deficit in last Friday’s Game Two even though they failed to score a sweep.

The Gin Kings flashed some brilliance in endgame to escape with a 91-88 victory that gave the league’s most popular ballclub a new lease in life in their bid to make the semifinals of the kick-off tournament.

And by just looking at the first two games of the short series, one would easily surmise the 6 p.m. tussle at the Cuneta Astrodome will end just the same — wild and wooly.

Even coach Jong Uichico could not seem to relish the Kings’ victory in Game Two which the Kings dominated halfway through only to allow the Beermen to come back in the fourth quarter after turning erratic.

“We just survived the series,” said Uichico, somewhat stunned when the Kings allowed the Beermen to wipe out Ginebra’s big lead.

“Who else would you give the credit to?” he asked. “With all the distractions, injuries and all, my players never walked away from the challenges. I just hope we can hold on.”

Good thing about the Kings is that they now play with concerted effort, especially in offense which enabled them to cushion the impact of Dondon Hontiveros, who exploded with 35 points in Game Two.

As fortunate as they were, the Kings came prepared for it with impeccable offense anchored on the foursome of Ronald Tubid, Jayjay Helterbrand, Eric Menk and Sunday Salvacion.

The four combined forces to produce 60 points that more than made up for Hontiveros’ explosion.

The winner will advance to the semifinals opposite Talk ‘N Text. Sta. Lucia Realty, meanwhile, completed a two-game sweep of Rain or Shine, posting a 92-85 win last Friday to advance to the semis opposite Alaska Milk.

Alaska Milk and Talk ‘N Text became early semifinalists after finishing 1-2 in the regular two-round elimination phase.