Philippines, 23 Jan 2026
  Home >> News

 


BOXERS

CURRENT CHAMPIONS 

FORMER CHAMPIONS   

RATINGS                       

NEWS           

FORUM        

FIGHT GALLERIES        

RING CARD GIRLS        


 
 
News  


SMBeermen proved mastery of Gin Kings anew


PhilBoxing.com


In the five previous San Miguel Beer-Barangay Ginebra meetings for the PBA championships, the Gin Kings had won Game 1 four times but still lost the titles to the Beermen in as many times.

It looks like the same pattern will follow in the on-going PBA Commissioner?s Cup finale where the Kings took Gamed 1 by a blowout and the Beermen returning the compliment, also in lopsided fashion in Game 2.

And to prove that coach Leo Austria?s charges are out to repeat their predecessor?s feats in the 2017 Philippine Cup, 2009 Fiesta Cup, 2007 Philippine Cup and 1989 Reinforced Conference, the Beermen made it two in-a-row over their sister team, with another emphatic, one-sided 132-94 manhandling of coach Tim Cone?s boys last Wednesday.

What could be a pivotal Game 4 is scheduled Friday, also at the Araneta Coliseum.

In that series leading Game 3 triumph on Wednesday, the Beermen sent the boisterous Kings? followers home in tears anew after working behind an uninterrupted 9-point barrage starring their hard-working import Renaldo Balkman and guard Chris Ross translating a slim 53-51 advantage to what turned out an unreachable 62-51 bubble on the way to building a 2-1 series lead.

That was two more victories short of retaining the Commish Cup and a step closer to claiming the SMC franchise?s second Grand slam and first under the tutelage of businessman-sportsman Ramon S. Ang.

Balkman scored five points of that San Miguel 9-0 rampage while Chris Ross made a string of three consecutive threes in the same quarter unmindful a nasty cut he suffered late in the second period.

The Beermen went up by 11 points, 73-62, following that attack that and never looked back, erecting leads of as many as 40 points in the third successive lopsided game in the best-of-seven championship series.

?I didn?t expect this to happen,? a surprised San Miguel coach Leo Austria tod media men in the post-game press conference. ?It?s kinda weird na first game, tinambakan kami, second game bawi kami tambak din. This game, another blowout.?

Per records of PBA chief statistician Fidel Mangonon, the Beermen's 38-point margin tied the biggest in PBA Finals history, matching the gap in Alaska's 99-61 win over SMB, who else in Game 6 of 1998 All-Filipino Cup Finals.

Balkman finished with 28 points and 11 rebounds, while Ross had 23 points, seven rebounds, and five assists while converting seven of his 13 three-point shots.

"I have nothing to say other than I am embarrassed by our performance," Ginebra coach Tim Cone could only murmur as he stormed out of the tunnel shortly after the defeat as if avoiding the press

"They're too good for us,? he added on the way to where his vehicle was parked.

Ginebra?s lack of effort was to observers, including basketball?s ?living legend? Robert Jaworski, blamed for the King?s Game 3 loss.

?Ang napansin ko lang they don?t talk to each other, even while sitting on the bench, Jaworki noted. when chanced upon by this writer on his way out. ?Ni hindi man lang nag-tse-cheer sa kanilang teammates on the floor.?

"The defense was so loose. Tingnan mo yung second chance points of San Miguel and you?d be amazed at the percentage. No boxing out,? the father of Ginebra?s "never say die attitude,? said.

He was correct.

Not only did the Beermen outrebound the taller Kings, 55-38, especially on the offensive board recoveries where Austria?s boys had a whooping 20-8 advantage that produced a 32-10 second chance points.


Click here to view a list of other articles written by Eddie Alinea.


Recent PhilBoxing.com In-House articles:

  • Four Pinoys in line for title shots
    By Joaquin Henson, , Fri, 23 Jan 2026
  • After the meeting in Mexico City, the WBC is ready for 2026
    By Gabriel F. Cordero, , Fri, 23 Jan 2026
  • Former world title challenger Jerry Belmontes Returns to ring at home after nearly a decade in Retirement on January 31 in Texas
    , Fri, 23 Jan 2026
  • SUPER MIDDLEWEIGHT RONNY ALVAREZ TRAINING CAMP NOTES
    , Thu, 22 Jan 2026
  • STRICKLAND STUNS REYES AS SOUQUET SEALS REDEMPTION | WNT LEGENDS
    , Thu, 22 Jan 2026
  • Knicks defeats Nets 120-66 to post largest margin of victory in franchise history
    By Gabriel F. Cordero, , Thu, 22 Jan 2026
  • Mauricio Sulaiman: "We simply urge Zuffa Boxing to respect and protect boxing and the boxer"
    By Gabriel F. Cordero, , Thu, 22 Jan 2026
  • January 31: Xander Zayas-Abass Baraou Junior Middleweight Title Unification Showdown to Stream LIVE on Top Rank Classics FAST Channel in the United States
    , Thu, 22 Jan 2026
  • Mike Tyson to Launch “Mike Tyson Invitational,” a Three-Day Amateur Boxing Showcase Aimed at Elevating the Future of American Boxing
    , Thu, 22 Jan 2026
  • KAIPO GALLEGOS TRAINING CAMP NOTES
    , Thu, 22 Jan 2026
  • REYES AND BUSTAMANTE DELIVER HOME-SOIL MASTERCLASS | WNT LEGENDS
    , Wed, 21 Jan 2026
  • Reigning World 10-ball Champion Filipino cue master Jonas Magpantay to see action in Indonesia pool tourney
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Wed, 21 Jan 2026
  • OLYMPIC BOXING 7: 1936 OLYMPICS AT BERLIN, GERMANY
    By Maloney L. Samaco, , Wed, 21 Jan 2026
  • Usyk and Zuffa Boxing Negotiations Update
    By Gabriel F. Cordero, , Wed, 21 Jan 2026
  • Round 12 with Mauricio Sulaimán: Twelve Years Later, Don José is Still With Us
    By Mauricio Sulaimán, , Tue, 20 Jan 2026
  • Get know “BIG BAD BAZLEY”as he retuns March 13 in Perth – Thunderdome 53
    , Tue, 20 Jan 2026
  • “Jye Chin brings a fight to whoever, whenever and where ever”: Jye Chin ready for WBC title Clash March 13 in Perth – Thunderdome 53
    , Tue, 20 Jan 2026
  • THE PAST WEEK IN ACTION 18 JANUARY 2026: Nikita Tszyu-Michael Zerafa End in No Contest; Raul Curiel Outpoints Jordan Panthen
    By Eric Armit, , Mon, 19 Jan 2026
  • Ryan Daye ready for WBC title Clash March 13 in Perth – Thunderdome 53
    , Mon, 19 Jan 2026
  • RAUL “EL CUGÁR” CURIEL CRUISES TO UNANIMOUS DECISION WIN OVER JORDAN “THE PATRIOT” PANTHEN
    , Sat, 17 Jan 2026
  • Weights from Philadelphia
    , Sat, 17 Jan 2026
  • Mexico Commemorates 12th Death Anniversary of Don Jose Sulaiman (Photos)
    By Gabriel F. Cordero, , Sat, 17 Jan 2026
  • MOLLY McCANN EYES 'HUGE' STATEMENT START TO 2026 AS SHE JOINS BUMPER WOOD-WARINGTON CARD IN NOTTINGHAM ON FEBRUARY 21
    , Sat, 17 Jan 2026
  • NEW MAIN EVENT ANNOUNCED! RAUL CURIEL SCHEDULED TO FACE JORDAN PANTHEN IN MIDDLEWEIGHT SCRAP
    , Fri, 16 Jan 2026
  • SMALLS VS RAMOS TOPS STACKED UNDERCARD FOR NAVARRETE-NUNEZ BLOCKBUSTER IN GLENDALE
    , Fri, 16 Jan 2026




  •  



     
    PhilBoxing.com has been created to support every aspiring
    Filipino boxer and the Philippine boxing scene in general.
    Please send comments to feedback@philboxing.com


    PRIVATE POLICY | LEGAL DISCLAIMER
    developed and maintained by dong secuya
    © 2026 philboxing.com.