Noah Barro

Left out of San Miguel’s Game 6 rotation, Chris Ross turned his frustration into fuel.

Photo Courtesy of One Sports.

After being benched in the entirety of a potential Game 6 closeout, Chris Ross returned with vengeance in Game 7, delivering 19 points, seven assists and four steals to lift the San Miguel Beermen past Barangay Ginebra San Miguel, 100-93, in the PBA Philippine Cup Semifinals at the Smart Araneta Coliseum, July 9.

The win earned the Beermen the final slot in the PBA Philippine Cup Finals—and a shot at ending TNT Tropang 5G’s Grand Slam bid.

“I’m a competitor. Not playing the last game, it hurts my feelings,” Ross admitted after the game, referencing his DNP status in Game 6, when Ginebra forced a decider behind LA Tenorio’s heroics.

San Miguel head coach Leo Austria shared his regret. “Chris Ross wasn’t able to play last game, so I approached him. I told him I was sorry—I felt so guilty at the time,” Austria said.

Ross responded like a true winner.

Ginebra led 72–62 late in the third quarter, seemingly in full control. But their defense faltered, and a string of turnovers—16 in total—allowed the Beermen to rally. San Miguel trimmed the deficit to just six heading into the fourth, 73–66.

What followed was vintage Beermen basketball. Ross anchored the defensive surge, sparking a 9–2 run alongside Don Trollano, Jericho Cruz, and Rodney Brondial to tie the game at 77-all. From there, San Miguel took command.

From then, Ross proved that he is a winner.

Despite Ginebra’s comfortable 62-72 lead late in the third quarter, their lack of defensive efforts and turnovers, tallying 16 of them,  allowed the Beermen to trim the lead down to six, 66-73 at the end of the frame.

From then, the Beermen gave Ginebra the taste of their own medicine after they maximized on Gin Kings’ missed shots and turnovers in the fourth frame, led by Ross’s defensive clogs to facilitate baskets of Don Trollano, Jericho Cruz, and Rodney Brondial for a 9-2 run, 77-77, and eventually secure the game.

Ginebra made one last push.

Despite efforts from the 2021-2022 MVP, Scottie Thompson hustled for a loose ball that led to a Troy Rosario lay-up, closing the gap to 86–84. But San Miguel stayed composed. They answered with a 5–0 run, rebuilding a cushion that Ginebra never overcame.

June Mar Fajardo tallied for a double-double outing constructed on 21 points, 19 rebounds, and two blocks for the Beermen’s chance to complete their Philippine Cup revenge tour after failing a title defense against the Meralco Bolts.

Even though waxing hot from the rainbow country, Ginebra was not able to stretch the floor as much as possible after being heavily outscored by the Beermen in the paint, earning 66 points compared to Ginebra’s 24.

Jamie Malonzo spearheaded the Barangay’s offense with 22 markers along with RJ Abarrientos and Scottie Thompson who contributed 16 points a piece. But it wasn’t enough to overcome a dominant final quarter from the Beermen, who outscored Ginebra 34–20 in the last 12 minutes.

The PBA Finals Game 1 will take place at the Smart Araneta Coliseum on July 13 as the Beermen will be tasked to halt TnT Tropang 5G’s Grand Slam bid.