Jamie Malonzo criticizes Barangay Ginebra’s defense after San Miguel levels series

The San Miguel Beermen bounced back to level the ongoing Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) Philippine Cup semifinal series at 2–2 after defeating Barangay Ginebra San Miguel, 107–82, in Game 4 on Wednesday, June 3, at the SM Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City.

Led by an injured June Mar Fajardo, San Miguel delivered a collective effort, with several players scoring in double figures. This dominant performance did not sit well with Barangay Ginebra star forward Jamie Malonzo, who expressed disappointment in his team’s defensive effort.

“They did a good job, and I think we could have done better. We let them score 50 in the first half, which wasn’t our goal. We wanted it a bit lower. I think defensively, we could have done a lot better. I know my guys will go home, rest, and come out for these next few games with some fire. No way do we want a Game 7, so we’ll look at what we did wrong, correct a few things, and we’ll be back,” Malonzo said in a media interaction.

Ginebra’s Jamie Malonzo talks about losing Game 4 to the Beermen. @INQUIRERSports pic.twitter.com/GcYeRMH8aX

— Rommel Fuertes Jr. (@MeloFuertesINQ) July 2, 2025

Malonzo showcased his offensive skills, finishing with 12 points, five rebounds, and two blocks. However, he and his Ginebra teammates struggled defensively, allowing San Miguel to shoot an efficient 48.8 percent from the field.

Notably, San Miguel recorded 21 assists, completely outplaying Barangay Ginebra on the night. The Beermen’s second unit also stepped up, contributing 44 bench points, compared to Ginebra’s 30.

“They were hard to stop. I think their second unit came out with some fire, and that was the difference. It certainly made it harder for us to guard today, and they took advantage of their runs,” Malonzo added.

With the series now tied at 2–2, the clash between these two PBA powerhouses is living up to the hype and expectations. Game 5 between San Miguel and Barangay Ginebra will take place on Friday, June 4, at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.

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