Cameron Clark got the better end of his showdown with Justin Brownlee, putting in crucial stuffs all the way to the finish that allowed San Miguel Beer to fend off Barangay Ginebra's endgame siege.
Clark scored a game-high 35 points including an unmolested shot off an assist by Simon Enciso with 8.8 ticks to go as the Beermen repulsed the Gin Kings, 102-99, in the PBA Governors Cup at the Smart Araneta Coliseum Friday.
The efficient SMB import also collected 10 rebounds and two assists, CJ Perez produced 20 points and seven boards while Jun Mar Fajardo piled up 12 markers on top of 18 rebounds as the Beermen kept a share of top spot with the TNT Tropang Giga at 7-1.
The Kings actually made a searing chase from 11 points down in the last two minutes, threatening to within one at 99-100.
Then at 99-102 with 8.8 ticks left, they had a chance at an equalizer but Nards Pinto missed two three-points tries.
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With back-to-back defeats to Magnolia then San Miguel, the Kings dropped to 3-2.
"Ginebra's a tough never-say-die team. As I told the boys, for us to beat them, we have to play 48 minutes and not let them a chance taking advantage of our lapses," said San Miguel coach Jorge Gallent, obviously not happy with their near foldup.
It helped that the Beermen built enough lead that served as cushion against the Kings' furious fightback.
Clark said Fajardo was a big key.
"It all started with June Mar. When he got going, a lot of other guys got open and got their shots," said Clark.
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Vic Manuel, Marcio Lassiter, Chris Ross, Jericho Cruz and Enciso put in buckets for the Beermen who made it two in a row following their 145-132 drubbing of NorthPort on Wednesday.
With a seventh W, the Beermen, like the Tropang Giga, are now assured of a quarterfinals berth.
They set out for battle Sunday over at the PhilSports Arena, both bent on continuing their winning ways in chase of a Top 4 finish and a twice-to-beat bonus in the quarterfinals.
Also on Sunday, the Kings tangle with the Blackwater Bossing in the 4:30 p.m. curtain-raiser.
The Beermen made Brownlee to bleed for only 21 points on an 8-of-18 clip.
With Brownlee held down, Christian Standhardinger led the charge for the Kings with 29 points that went with 10 rebounds and seven assists. (SB)
The Scores:
SAN MIGUEL 102 - Clark 35, Perez 20, Fajardo 12, Manuel 10, Lassiter 8, Enciso 6, Cruz 5, Brondial 4, Ross 2, Tautuaa 0.
GINEBRA 99 - Standhardinger 29, Brownlee 21, Gray 14, Thompson 13, Malonzo 9, Pringle 6, Pinto 6, Mariano 1, Tenorio 0.
QUARTERS: 24-21, 50-47, 82-72, 102-99.
