2024 PBA Governor Cup Semifinal Match.
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00:00That was where he really found his rhythm en route to this spectacular performance in Game 5.
00:06We send it over to Ms. Bea Escudero for this report.
00:08After a career-high performance in Game 5, R.J. Aparientos talked about embracing his role coming off the bench for Barangay Ginebra.
00:15According to him, it wasn't much of an adjustment because even during his time in FEU as a rookie,
00:19Coach Olsen Rasela told R.J. that it's just the duty of a freshman that despite his exposure to quilas at that time,
00:26he needs to go through the same process as everybody else did.
00:29Well, for R.J., he believes Coach Olsen truly helped him ease into his role for Ginebra and kept him grounded in the process as well.
00:36And as he put it, it's just about doing my part off the bench, which means bringing and extending the energy of our starters to get wins.
00:43And my numbers are just a bonus, but I am happy to contribute for the team when it matters.
00:47Gentlemen, back to you.
00:48Well, contributing six points already is R.J. Aparientos in the first quarter.
00:53The offense for San Miguel Beer fell off a cliff when Junmar Fajardo hit the bench.
00:58So Coach George Gallant, no other choice, really, but to send the Kraken back into this matchup.
01:04San Miguel losing the bench, scoring battle 44-19.
01:07Plus 25 for Barraga Ginebra in that game five win.
01:10Something that the beer man needs to address.
01:14Chapman also comes back in.
01:16R.J. has eight points now and the upcoming rapid succession.
01:22And this is what you call the mark improvement in the offensive game of R.J. Aparientos.
01:27And he decided to attack more and use his foot speed against his defenders.
01:33Who will respond for the San Miguel beer man, Trolliano.
01:36Feels he has a size advantage.
01:38That's a push from behind coming from Jopep.
01:41And again, we attack the basket. Junmar Fajardo hovering underneath the rim.
01:45That gives him the chance to play off the ball and secure a second chance.
01:49Looks very good.
01:51Smart. He puts Terrence Romeo in jail right behind him.
01:55He won't kill his dribble, coach. That is a deadly skill for a point guard.
01:59What you see from Aparientos is not the hand, not the body, but the speed of his foot.
02:05That kid is very smart.
02:07Good swing to the corner. Trolliano converts for three.
02:12One of the best players on the bench for San Miguel.
02:15A PBA champion, scoring five points on the bench, knocking in the final basket for San Miguel.
02:20San Miguel at the end of the first quarter for a two-point lead.
02:23Four-point lead, rather.
02:25Brownlee to Aparientos, back to JB.
02:28They connect on the alley-oop.
02:31This is their first conference playing together already showing chemistry, coach.
02:35No doubt.
02:36And Justin Brownlee is led by example.
02:38And RJ Aparientos buying into that principle of coach Steve to share that basketball.
02:45Manosike off the dribble to Trolliano once again.
02:49Well-covered this time.
02:51Takes a shot anyway, misses it.
02:53Brownlee gets the rebound.
02:55Excellent defense coming from Kuhn.
02:57Downs pass to Ahan Mesi.
02:59But the defense is already set up for SMB.
03:02Aparientos to tie. No good.
03:05Manosike the rebound.
03:14They're trying to look for Junmar inside.
03:16Junmar inside. Marcio converts.
03:18Another shot from downtown.
03:20That's 8-4 last third.
03:22Second-leading scorer.
03:23They need this outside sniping.
03:25They need his leadership.
03:27And they need his individual defense as well.
03:30Gobbling up on their advantage now at six points for SMB.
03:38Drop it.
03:39Goes to Ralf Kuhn.
03:40Hand-off now to RJ.
03:42Ball screen up top.
03:43The defense switches.
03:44They swing it to Ahan Mesi.
03:46Want to shoot.
03:47Forced shot.
03:48Won't work.
03:49That play went nowhere for Barangay Ginebra.
03:51That's good individual defense.
03:52Defending without fouling.
03:53No driving lanes allowed as well.
03:55Terrence walks into it.
03:56Misses.
03:57Easy pick-up for Japer.
03:59Early trigger coming from Terrence.
04:01Looking for his offense.
04:06Brownlee to Aparientos.
04:08What a pass.
04:09What a find.
04:10Ahan Mesi scores.
04:11At times, it may look flash and acrobatic.
04:14But the delivery of Aparientos really has been very precise.
04:20He has been a game-changer.
04:22Talking about RJ Aparientos.
04:24Coming off the bench here for Coach Tim once again.
04:27Anosike launches for four.
04:30That's a shot there.
04:31That's a wild shot.
04:32That's a shot there.
04:33Willing to give up.
04:34Again, a double team on Junmar Pardo.
04:35Even if Junmar was very far away from the basket.
04:39Flash-pull for Aparientos.
04:41Expect an S&B time-out if Ginebra scores a basket here.
04:45Chabot will do just that.
04:47And here comes the time-out from Coach George Gallet.
04:51It's either RJ Aparientos scoring or RJ Aparientos setting up a basket.
04:55It's not just the eight points that he has scored.
04:58It's the number of times that he has set up a teammate for an easy bucket.
05:02Three down to two.
05:03San Miguel here.
05:04Two assists back-to-back for RJ Aparientos.
05:08As we take another look at this pass.
05:11Making it three with Barangay Ginebra.
05:13Now only down by two points.
05:1533-33.
05:16Governors Cup Finals.
05:18How difficult is it to battle the creativity of Coach Tim?
05:23Because right now, playing with no jaw defense,
05:25he is finding ways to play small but still effective.
05:29He is a basketball genius.
05:30It's very difficult to go up against Coach Tim Cohn.
05:33And that is what San Miguel is still trying to figure out.
05:36They're down in the series.
05:37Three games to two.
05:38And if you're San Miguel, what you want to do is always get the ball in the hands of Jun Marfajardo.
05:44Because it seems like you have a perceived height advantage even against Chape Taguilar.
05:49Now without JDV, the team even becomes smaller.
05:53But still, the quickness will now be a factor for Barangay Ginebra.
05:58So even if they're relatively smaller and giving up a lot of height and a lot of heft against San Miguel,
06:05as soon as they double-team Jun Marfajardo,
06:08they force a lot of outside shots.
06:10It will propel them to a lot of fast-break opportunities.
06:13So going back to your question,
06:15Coach Tim Cohn really will find ways to look for his strength and his advantages.
06:20And that is why, even if it's down by four points right now,
06:23expect him to bring out the best from his players,
06:27especially that they're lacking JDV in this game.
06:30Thank you so much, Coach Dryad.
06:31Thank you so much, Coach Dryad.
06:32As we have another three-point conversion this time for Maverick Ahanmisi.
06:36He answers right back.
06:38Twelve points for him to match the output of Marcio Lassiter.
06:42And Osike gets the end one.
06:45It's all about perimeter scorers right now coming into play.
06:49Barientos and Ahanmisi joining forces.
06:53Scoring heavily here for the Gin Kings.
06:55That's 20 of their 36 points coming from the backcourt.
07:01Obviously, just a three-point shot from Marcio the last time out.
07:05This one will cancel that mix.
07:07Our score right now is 38-36.
07:10A two-point lead for the San Miguel Beerman.
07:12Coach Ronnie, let me just jog back a PB history a little bit here.
07:19We've had 21 Governor's Cup finals already.
07:2321 in history.
07:25Two-thirds of those.
07:27Fourteen of those times,
07:28Coach Tim Cohn was one of the finalists.
07:31Utter dominance when it comes to the Governor's Cup for Coach Tim.
07:35And that has allowed him to be the winningest head coach in PBA history.
07:39But the four times that he lost,
07:41one of them, one of those times,
07:44was for Coach Ryan Gregorio and yourself
07:47as a member of the Pure Foods franchise.
07:49Many years ago.
07:50Many, many years ago.
07:51But again, that is how rare it is to beat Coach Tim Cohn
07:56in a Governor's Cup final.
07:58Correct.
07:59And that's why he has been the most successful coach in PBA history.
08:03And this is something that the San Miguel is aiming to solve.
08:06Find ways to stay alive in the series as Fajardo.
08:09Did not wait for the double to come.
08:13Ten Governor's Cup championships for Coach Tim Cohn.
08:15I believe only three imports.
08:17Two of them are right here in the Big Dome.
08:20Justin Brownlee and Sean Chambers who is sitting port side.
08:23Marcus Blakely is the other one.
08:25And that is the hope for Barangay Ginebra
08:28that they could get back into that championship groove.
08:31Sorry, Miss Inside, for Japet.
08:33Last year, they had Tony Bishop, right?
08:35As their reinforcement.
08:36Yep.
08:37So, return to the finals.
08:39A stop of mine here for the GN Kings with Justin Brownlee.
08:43Back in harness.
08:44That will be a loose ball foul.
08:46Called against Stephen Holt.
08:48Most probably.
08:49That is a tough cover for Holt going up against an old strong Anocic.
08:55Which brings in Benadamos.
08:59To add a little ceiling here to Ginebra.
09:02But more than that, give Japet Aguilar a much needed breather.
09:1041 to 36, a five point lead for the San Miguel Beermen.
09:16And in comes CJ Perez.
09:21Fajardo.
09:23Fajardo.
09:26Issues a pass to Anocic and down low.
09:28One on one against Brownlee.
09:30And he is too strong in the shaded area.
09:4043-36 San Miguel Beer.
09:43Really using their height, their size.
09:48To re-establish the advantage as coach Chip Cohn calls this time out.
09:59That's a lot of money.
10:01CJ Perez after the first quarter has scored only two points so far on a 1 of 5 clip.
10:09Junmar pasting on the boards.
10:13That's a big boy rebound there for the Kraken.
10:17As they want to push the advantage even further.
10:20Deep position, Anocic is blocked from behind by Brownlee.
10:28Ginebra.
10:29Need a response.
10:31Nahalmizi has been hot with 12 points.
10:34Make that 14 now for now.
10:36Not just hot but sizzling from the perimeter and from beyond.
10:40Has scored already a total of 14 points to lead all the Ginebra Gen Kings.
10:45Has eclipsed his 13 point output that he scored in game number 5.
10:49Fajardo will be called for a 3 second violation.
10:57It was a 10-5 run for San Miguel prior to that conversion for Barangay Ginebra.
11:04After the score still a 33 all.
11:08And in game 5 it was Scottie Thompson who kept his squad in the game early.
11:13Right?
11:14Now it is Ahanmizi and Abarientos doing it for them in the first half.
11:21Holt to Brownlee.
11:23Holt still scoreless.
11:24Cruz defending.
11:252 to shoot.
11:26JB elbow jump for his money.
11:30Long ball.
11:31Perimeter shots.
11:32Back to the basket.
11:34When needed Justin Brownlee just has that special innate ability to deliver.
11:404 point minute run for Barangay Ginebra.
11:42Lassiter launches.
11:44Comes up short.
11:45Tap goes to JB.
11:46Ginebra on the run.
11:48Ahanmizi will fly.
11:50Overcooks it.
11:51The rebound goes to Anosike.
11:53The transition defense for San Miguel.
11:55Jericho walks into a long one.
11:57It's a miss.
11:58Scottie with the board.
12:00Might not be the shot you want in transition.
12:03Oh!
12:04My goodness.
12:05JB wanted to go up for it but he will miss the left yaliub jam.
12:12CJ calmly converts the banker to settle down the offense for SMB.
12:18And in the third straight possession finally San Miguel attacks from inside the 3.9 to pose a 5.8.
12:262 points in the second quarter.
12:282 points in the first quarter for a grand total of 4 for CJ Perez.
12:34Brownlee.
12:36Baseline was closed.
12:38Kicks it out to Ahanmizi.
12:40Scottie.
12:413 point shot.
12:42To Sean.
12:43Rebound for Abay.
12:45San Miguel gave up 5 offensive rebounds in the first quarter but not here in quarter 2.
12:515 point advantage for the white shirts.
12:54CJ.
12:55The pass lands.
12:57But the shot is missed.
12:58An easy look at that for Jumar.
13:00That's a value for a taller defender against Fajardo in Benidormos.
13:05Full on the attack.
13:07Lace it up and in.
13:09Two players closed out.
13:10Two players he blew by.
13:12Tore in his first basket.
13:14And again Hinevra attacking the basket relentlessly.
13:17Staying close.
13:18Down by one possession deficit at 45-42.
13:212 minutes remaining here in our first half of action.
13:26As he thanks for joining us on TV Rush and Filipinas Live.
13:29Marcio.
13:32Goes to Jetico.
13:33Another outside shot will not work.
13:36Rebound picked up by Adamos.
13:37Lost it temporarily.
13:39Look at this.
13:40Jumar comes away with it.
13:42Extra work coming from CJ Perez.
13:46Not just with scoring but in terms of effort plays.
13:49And that created an easy look.
13:51Point number 9 for Jumar Fajardo.
13:539 of the 47 points.
13:54If you're Ben Adamos you have to be a lot stronger than that to rebound.
14:00As Ahan Macy rejects the screen.
14:02Maverick is fouled.
14:04Well in that last case with Adamos.
14:07He leaked out.
14:09Usually Jumar gets caught in situations like that.
14:14Fortunately for San Miguel.
14:15CJ Perez dove for the basketball.
14:17And found a wide open Jumar Fajardo underneath.
14:25So Ahan Macy will get the benefit of the doubt.
14:28That he was already going up for the shot.
14:30Two free throws for him.
14:32And so far Jumar Fajardo and EJ Inosike.
14:34Carrying the offense of San Miguel on their broad shoulders.
14:37Total of 23 points for his front line combination.
14:41That's 25 of the 47 points of San Miguel.
14:44Over 50 percent.
14:46Helps with Marcio Laziter.
14:49Also getting double digits with that 11.
14:51That's from the perimeter force.
14:53Excellent numbers for Ahan Macy.
14:54Very consistent.
14:56What about the rebound?
14:57Rebounds at a spike.
14:59On a positive note.
15:00And assists.
15:01Buying into the system of Coach Tim Cohn.
15:03As the top passing team.
15:04Throughout this conference.
15:0715 points.
15:08Trying his series best.
15:10And leading all scorers.
15:12During the first half.
15:13Ahan Macy makes it a sweet 16.
15:17To bring Barangay Ginebra back into it.
15:20Series best 16 points so far.
15:22When we're just in the first two quarters.
15:24Talking about Maverick Ahan Macy.
15:27Inosike the drive.
15:28He's fouled.
15:29He'll take two.
15:3357 points so far scored by Ahan Macy.
15:36In five games.
15:37That's about 12 points per contest.
15:40Inosike making a good decision to attack the basket.
15:43The more times they get to the free throw line.
15:45The better it will be for them.
15:47Of course there's a collateral.
15:48They have to make their free throws as well.
15:50They went to the line only 15 times.
15:53Okay Coach Tim Cohn.
15:54Issues a challenge on that last call.
15:58He and Justin Rowley talked about it.
16:04And in the end Coach Tim Cohn decided to pull the trigger.
16:07And this will be the first head coach challenge of game 6.
16:12Again Coach Tim Cohn is taking this.
16:14If it is successful they have another one.
16:16If it's not that is it for them.
16:21But he feels it could be an important one.
16:24To preserve a foul from Rowley.
16:26And not give up two free throws for EJ Inosike.
16:30In the final 68.5 seconds of our first game.
16:33In the final 68.5 seconds of our first half.
16:37I was saying in their last toss.
16:38San Miguel only went to the line 15 times.
16:41Only converted 8 free throws.
16:43For just a clip of 53%.
16:45This last sequence.
16:57It was not successful.
16:59Referee saying that Justin Brownlee was jumping forward.
17:03He did not stay vertical.
17:05Which impeded the ability of EJ Inosike.
17:10To go up properly for the layup.
17:13No more challenge remaining for Barangay Ginebra.
17:16Inosike takes care of the first free throw.
17:29Goal!
17:3115 markers in the ball game.
17:35For the SMB import.
17:37And he is a pretty reliable free throw shooter.
17:40Extending their lead to 5 now.
17:47Abarientos uses the chap and screen.
17:49Ahan Mizzi has it versus Jericho.
17:53Another ball screen up top.
17:54Ahan Mizzi drives.
17:56Misses.
17:58That shot off the board.
18:05Perez.
18:06Quiet 4 points for him.
18:08Gets the ball back.
18:10CJ.
18:13Measuring up the defense.
18:14Kicks it out to Jericho.
18:15Still 6 seconds remaining on the shot clock.
18:17Jericho comes up short.
18:18Rebound JB.
18:20Not enough lift today for Jericho.
18:22But what about the individual defense for the Jenkins.
18:25Containing.
18:26Disallowing open driving lanes.
18:29Junmar miscalculated there.
18:31Thought that Japet would dive all the way.
18:33Right.
18:34Instead, Japet stopped.
18:36And made sure that he will connect on that bank.
18:3849-46.
18:40Final possession.
18:42Of this first half.
18:44Inosike launches.
18:46Oh, it rims out.
18:48Thompson the prayer.
18:50Will be too strong.
18:51And that is where we will end things.
18:53In the first half of action.
18:55The San Miguel Behrman of the tremendous shooting
18:56of Marcio Lassiter.
18:58Built.
19:00A double digit lead early.
19:02But the Barangay Ginebra San Miguel squad
19:04battles right back into it.
19:0611 points already on 3 of 6 shooting from downtown
19:08for Marcio Lassiter.
19:10But it's only a slim 3 point lead.
19:12For the San Miguel Behrman.
19:14Fighting to stay alive.
19:16Hoping for a game 7 this coming Wednesday
19:18here.
19:20In this best of 7 semifinal series.