Tim Cone calls San Miguel “legendary,” stresses mental hurdle for Barangay Ginebra

Barangay Ginebra San Miguel roared back in emphatic fashion to even its best-of-seven semifinal series against longtime rival San Miguel Beermen, taking Game 4 with a commanding 105–91 victory on Sunday, January 11, at the SM Mall of Asia Arena. The win not only restored Ginebra’s momentum in the tightly contested series but also highlighted the brilliance of star point guard Scottie Thompson, who delivered a historic performance.

Thompson exploded for a career-high 35 points, while also recording 11 rebounds and 11 assists, completing a spectacular triple-double that showcased his all-around impact. Beyond his scoring, Thompson’s court vision, playmaking, and defensive presence allowed Ginebra to dominate on both ends of the floor. The point guard’s performance underscored why he is widely regarded as one of the most versatile and clutch players in the league, capable of carrying his team through high-pressure playoff games.

While Thompson commanded the spotlight, wingman Jayson David provided a critical spark off the bench. Playing roughly 27 minutes, David chipped in 12 points on 4-of-6 shooting, along with three rebounds, three steals, and seven assists. His game-high plus-minus of +22 reflected the tangible impact he had on both ends of the court, helping Ginebra maintain control during key stretches and energize the team whenever the Beermen attempted to close the gap.

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San Miguel, meanwhile, struggled to find their rhythm offensively. Star center June Mar Fajardo had an uncharacteristic night, scoring just nine points on 3-of-14 shooting. Despite his scoring woes, Fajardo still contributed a strong 20 rebounds and five assists, showing his usual presence on the glass and ability to facilitate his teammates. However, the Beermen’s reliance on Fajardo’s scoring proved costly, as Ginebra capitalized on their perimeter shooting and fast-break opportunities.

Following the win, Ginebra head coach Tim Cone emphasized the challenge of facing a team of San Miguel’s caliber, praising their consistent excellence and legendary status in the league.

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“June Mar had a tough night. I didn’t know if it was his shoulders or what, but he was missing shots he normally takes. We will take that, whatever advantage we can get. They are a legendary team in the All-Filipino. June Mar is legendary, and it’s quite intimidating to play them,” Cone said in the post-match press conference.

Cone elaborated on the depth and experience of the Beermen roster, noting the presence of multiple All-Stars and former champions.

“There is Chris Ross, Marcio Lassiter, and CJ Perez, then June Mar. That’s a formidable team. Then you add Don Trollano and Jericho Cruz, so it’s really tough,” he added.

The veteran coach admitted that the greatest challenge in facing San Miguel is not just talent but mentality—a lesson Ginebra learned the hard way during a seven-game Philippine Cup series in Season 49, when they fell to the Beermen in the semifinals.

“The biggest problem we have with this team is just believing that we can beat them. That is the hardest thing for us to overcome. We need to internalize the idea that we can beat them, and that’s really the biggest battle we need to overcome,” Cone concluded, underscoring the psychological hurdle that accompanies taking on one of the league’s most decorated franchises.

Ginebra’s Game 4 triumph not only evened the series at 2–2 but also sent a message that the Gin Kings are capable of matching San Miguel blow for blow. With the series shifting momentum and both teams vying for a crucial advantage, the remaining games promise to be highly competitive, showcasing the intensity, skill, and drama that have defined this longstanding PBA rivalry.

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