Cabagnot plays hero anew as SMB takes Game 1

For the third time in the tourney, San Miguel Beer point guard Alex Cabagnot knocked in the game-winning shot at the buzzer.


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Cabagnot shook off main defender Ronald Tubid then beat the help defense of Rudy Hatfield in a layup as San Miguel nipped Barangay Ginebra, 86-84, in Game One of their PBA Philippine Cup best-of-seven semifinals showdown at the Araneta Coliseum Wednesday night.

“The team gives me the thrust and confidence to do what I have to do. They’re giving me that and I’m paying back,” said Cabagnot.

The Beermen blew away a 14-point spread early in the fourth quarter but preserved the win with Cabagnot delivering the winning basket after Ginebra fumbled its final possession.

Cabagnot himself forced the 84-all deadlock on an eight-foot jumper off a pick by Danny Ildefonso with 21.5 ticks left.

Ginebra coach Jong Uichico immediately called a timeout and ordered a last-shot play.

Alas, Hatfield, after receiving the inbounds from Mike Cortez, threw the ball away on a miscommunication with Mark Caguioa.

Regaining possession, San Miguel went to Cabagnot who once again showed grace under pressure, scoring the winning basket on a gutsy drive.

“Ginebra is such a tough team to put away. We led by 14 but they’re right back in the game in the last two minutes. Good thing, Alex is always there to save us,” said San Miguel ace forward Jay Washington.

Cabagnot had the same exploits in a game each versus Alaska Milk and B-MEG Derby Ace in the elimination round.

Washington led all scorers with 19 points while Cabagnot added 15 points, four assists and three rebounds.

Sunday Salvacion fired away 11 points coming off the bench while Arwind Santos and Dondon Hontiveros chipped in 10 apiece.

Caguioa, Willie Miller, Enrico Villanueva and JC Intal scored at least 10 points each for the Kings.

Before the game, Santos was given the Rain or Shine-PBA Press Corps Elims Top Peformer award, beating Alaska's Joe Devance and Talk n Text's Harvey Carey in a close race.

The Beermen found a good rhythm in the third quarter, getting a 10-point spread, 73-63, going into the final canto.

The San Miguel starters got into the groove in their return from the halftime huddle with Washington and Cabagnot making nine points each in the third period.

The SMB reserves put in big help as the Beermen fought the Kings to a 43-all deadlock in the first
half.

Salvacion went 2-of-3 from beyond the arc and led the Beermen with a total of eight markers in the first 24 minutes of play. (SB)

The scores:

San Miguel 86 - Washington 19, Cabagnot 15, Salvacion 11, Santos 10, Hontiveros 10, Seigle 6, Pena 6, Ildefonso 4, Racela 3, Artadi 2, Yeo 0, Miranda 0.

Ginebra 84 - Caguioa 16, Miller 15, Villanueva 13, Intal 10, De Ocampo 8, Cortez 7, Helterbrand 6, Wilson 4, Tubid 3, Hatfield 2, Mamaril 0.

Quarters: 21-22, 43-43, 73-63, 86-84

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