PH BASKETBALL GAME 4 SAN MIGUEL RAIN OR SHINE – San Miguel Beer Completes Dominant Sweep of Rain or Shine, Earns Finals Berth
The San Miguel Beermen (SMB) defied a valiant effort by the Rain or Shine Elasto Painters, carving out a dramatic 107-100 come-from-behind victory in Game 4 of their PBA Philippine Cup semifinals matchup at the MOA Arena.
This win completes a clean sweep for the Beermen, securing their passage to the best-of-seven championship series with a resounding 4-0 series win.
Table of Contents
PH BASKETBALL GAME 4 SAN MIGUEL RAIN OR SHINE – A Tale of Two Halves: Rain or Shine’s Early Lead and SMB’s Epic Comeback
The game unfolded in contrasting halves. Rain or Shine established a strong foothold early on, capitalizing on San Miguel’s sluggish start.
Their aggressive offense, spearheaded by Gian Mamuyac’s game-high 30 points, propelled them to a commanding 41-55 lead at halftime.
The Elasto Painters even extended their advantage to a staggering 19 points in the third quarter, leaving the Beermen seemingly on the brink of defeat.
PH BASKETBALL GAME 4 SAN MIGUEL RAIN OR SHINE – Rain or Shine Shocks SMB Early, Build Hefty Lead
The opening act of Game 4 belonged entirely to the Rain or Shine Elasto Painters. Their aggressive game plan caught the San Miguel Beermen off guard, exploiting sluggish defense and hesitant offense from the usually dominant team.
PH BASKETBALL GAME 4 SAN MIGUEL RAIN OR SHINE – Mamuyac Takes Center Stage
Gian Mamuyac emerged as the unlikely hero for Rain or Shine. Capitalizing on San Miguel’s defensive lapses, he found his shooting rhythm early, putting up a flurry of baskets and keeping the Elasto Painters’ offense humming.
His teammates complemented his scoring with hustle plays and timely baskets, further widening the gap.
PH BASKETBALL GAME 4 SAN MIGUEL RAIN OR SHINE – San Miguel’s Offensive Woes
San Miguel, known for their offensive firepower, looked out of sorts in the first half. Their usual ball movement was stagnant, and open shots were few and far between.
Key players like June Mar Fajardo and Terrence Romeo were tightly guarded and struggled to find their offensive groove.
This offensive stagnation, coupled with Rain or Shine’s offensive outburst, resulted in a significant halftime deficit for the Beermen.
PH BASKETBALL GAME 4 SAN MIGUEL RAIN OR SHINE – A 19-Point Hole: Can SMB Dig Themselves Out?
The Elasto Painters extended their lead to a staggering 19 points in the third quarter. This significant advantage placed San Miguel in an unfamiliar position – facing elimination on the brink of the finals.
But San Miguel find a way at the end with sheer determination, closing the lead of Rain or Shine and delivered the timely baskets down the stretch.
PH BASKETBALL GAME 4 SAN MIGUEL RAIN OR SHINE – Never Say Die: SMB Rallies Behind Perez and Fajardo
However, the resilient Beermen refused to relinquish their championship aspirations. Fueled by a renewed determination, they clawed their way back into contention in the fourth quarter.
Led by the dynamic duo of CJ Perez and June Mar Fajardo, San Miguel orchestrated a pivotal comeback.
Perez, despite a slow start from beyond the arc, drilled a crucial three-pointer with 25.7 seconds remaining, putting the Beermen ahead by 4 points.
Fajardo, a constant force throughout the game, solidified the lead with a clutch putback basket.
PH BASKETBALL GAME 4 SAN MIGUEL RAIN OR SHINE – A Spark from the Bench: Don Trollano Ignites the Comeback Trail
The comeback effort wasn’t solely a one-man show. Don Trollano, a key contributor off the bench for San Miguel, provided a much-needed spark.
He found his scoring touch, draining crucial baskets and keeping the Beermen within striking distance.
Trollano’s offensive surge, particularly his 13 points in the fourth quarter, injected a dose of energy into the San Miguel squad and instilled belief that a comeback was possible.
PH BASKETBALL GAME 4 SAN MIGUEL RAIN OR SHINE – Fajardo: A Tower of Strength
June Mar Fajardo, the anchor of the San Miguel defense, remained a constant force throughout the game.
Despite facing double and even triple teams in the paint, he battled for rebounds, created space for his teammates, and converted his scoring opportunities.
His relentless effort on both ends of the court served as a rallying point for the Beermen, reminding them of their championship pedigree.
PH BASKETBALL GAME 4 SAN MIGUEL RAIN OR SHINE – CJ Perez: From Struggles to Hero
CJ Perez, San Miguel’s high-scoring guard, had an uncharacteristically slow start from beyond the arc. However, he refused to let his early struggles define his performance.
Perez remained aggressive, attacking the basket and creating scoring opportunities for himself and his teammates.
His unwavering determination paid off in the most crucial moment. With 25.7 seconds remaining on the clock and the game hanging in the balance, Perez rose to the occasion, draining a clutch three-pointer that put San Miguel ahead by 4 points.
This momentum-shifting shot silenced the Rain or Shine crowd and sent a jolt of electricity through the San Miguel bench.
PH BASKETBALL GAME 4 SAN MIGUEL RAIN OR SHINE – Fajardo Seals the Deal: A Clutch Putback and Free Throws Secure Victory
Following Perez’s three-pointer, the intensity escalated even further. Rain or Shine desperately clawed their way back into the game, but San Miguel’s defense held strong.
In a pivotal moment, a missed shot from the Elasto Painters bounced off the rim, and June Mar Fajardo was there for the putback. This clutch basket extended the San Miguel lead and further dampened Rain or Shine’s comeback hopes.
With free throws from Perez and Chris Ross to ice the game, the San Miguel Beermen completed their improbable comeback, securing a dramatic 107-100 victory and a sweep of the semifinals series.
PH BASKETBALL GAME 4 SAN MIGUEL RAIN OR SHINE – Rain or Shine’s Fading Flame: Missed Opportunities and Defensive Struggles
Rain or Shine’s offense sputtered in the final stretch, failing to convert on their last six field goal attempts and committing a costly turnover in the final 3 minutes. This defensive lapse and offensive drought proved detrimental to their comeback hopes, as free throws by Perez and Chris Ross sealed the victory for San Miguel.
PH BASKETBALL GAME 4 SAN MIGUEL RAIN OR SHINE – Rain or Shine’s Demise: Missed Opportunities and Crumbling Defense
Rain or Shine’s valiant effort in the first three quarters ultimately fell short as their offensive and defensive struggles in the final stretch handed the victory to San Miguel Beer.
Despite holding a commanding lead for most of the game, the Elasto Painters squandered their golden opportunity due to a combination of factors.
PH BASKETBALL GAME 4 SAN MIGUEL RAIN OR SHINE – Offensive Stagnation in the Clutch
The Elasto Painters’ offense, which had been clicking throughout the game, inexplicably stalled in the final three minutes.
They failed to convert on their last six field goal attempts, a critical lapse that allowed San Miguel to claw their way back into the game.
This sudden offensive drought stemmed from several factors.
- Increased Defensive Pressure: San Miguel adjusted their defensive strategy in the fourth quarter, applying more pressure on Rain or Shine’s ball handlers and limiting their penetration into the paint. This disrupted the Elasto Painters’ offensive rhythm and forced them into contested shots.
- Fatigue: The Elasto Painters may have begun to feel the effects of playing catch-up throughout the second half. This fatigue could have impacted their decision-making and shooting accuracy in the clutch moments.
- Over-reliance on Mamuyac: While Gian Mamuyac had a stellar performance, Rain or Shine’s offense became too reliant on his scoring prowess. When San Miguel focused their defensive efforts on Mamuyac, the other Rain or Shine players struggled to step up and create offense.
PH BASKETBALL GAME 4 SAN MIGUEL RAIN OR SHINE – Costly Turnover and Defensive Breakdown
Adding to Rain or Shine’s woes was a costly turnover in the final minutes. With a chance to tie the game or take the lead, a loose pass by a Rain or Shine player found its way into the hands of the San Miguel defense.
This turnover effectively stole momentum away from the Elasto Painters and provided San Miguel with an easy scoring opportunity.
Furthermore, Rain or Shine’s defense, which had been solid for most of the game, showed cracks in the closing stretch. San Miguel’s perimeter players were able to find open looks for three-pointers, including the crucial three by CJ Perez.
Additionally, Fajardo’s putback basket was a result of a missed defensive assignment by Rain or Shine, highlighting a lapse in communication and defensive focus.
PH BASKETBALL GAME 4 SAN MIGUEL RAIN OR SHINE – Free Throws Seal the Deal
San Miguel capitalized on Rain or Shine’s mistakes by converting their free throws down the stretch. CJ Perez and Chris Ross calmly sank their free throws, putting the game out of reach for the Elasto Painters.
These successful free throws were a testament to San Miguel’s composure and ability to close out a close game.
PH BASKETBALL GAME 4 SAN MIGUEL RAIN OR SHINE – Missed Opportunity for Rain or Shine
Rain or Shine’s valiant effort throughout the game ultimately fell short due to their struggles in the final minutes.
The combination of offensive stagnation, a costly turnover, and defensive breakdowns proved to be their undoing.
This defeat will undoubtedly leave a bitter taste in their mouth, a reminder of the importance of executing effectively under pressure.
PH BASKETBALL GAME 4 SAN MIGUEL RAIN OR SHINE – Coach Gallent Credits Players’ Determination and Teamwork
SMB coach Jorge Gallent lauded his team’s fighting spirit, particularly their strong showing in the pivotal fourth quarter.
He acknowledged the early deficit but commended his players’ unwavering desire to close out the series.
“The players did not quit,” Gallent said. “They really wanted to end the series now, that’s why they played really hard entering the fourth quarter. Kudos to them, they really played hard and helped one another inside.”
PH BASKETBALL GAME 4 SAN MIGUEL RAIN OR SHINE – Key Contributors Beyond the Stars
While Perez and Fajardo were instrumental in the comeback, the supporting cast also played a crucial role.
Don Trollano provided a much-needed spark with 13 of his 20 points coming in the fourth quarter, while Jeron Teng chipped in 8 points in the third to help bridge the gap.
PH BASKETBALL GAME 4 SAN MIGUEL RAIN OR SHINE – Rain or Shine’s Missed Opportunities
Despite Mamuyac’s impressive scoring performance, Rain or Shine’s supporting cast faltered, particularly in the crucial fourth quarter. Adrian Nocum, who was scoreless in the first half, showed flashes of brilliance with 12 points in the third but was shut down in the final period.
Additionally, the Elasto Painters’ struggles on defense, especially in the closing minutes, ultimately cost them the game.
PH BASKETBALL GAME 4 SAN MIGUEL RAIN OR SHINE – San Miguel Beer Awaits Opponent in the Finals
With this dominant victory, San Miguel Beer secures a well-deserved rest while awaiting the winner of the ongoing semifinals battle between Barangay Ginebra and Meralco, currently locked in a tight 2-2 deadlock.
The Beermen head into the finals with momentum on their side, boasting a perfect 4-0 record in the playoffs and a team hungry for another championship title.
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