The Barangay Ginebra Gin Kings delivered a stunning blow to the defending champions, halting the San Miguel Beermen's impressive 10-game winning streak with a 99-90 victory in Game 1 of their PBA Season 50 Philippine Cup semi-finals series. The crucial match took place on Sunday, January 4, 2026, at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
Ginebra's Collective Effort Overpowers Fajardo's Dominance
Despite a monstrous performance from San Miguel's Cebuano giant, June Mar Fajardo, the Beermen fell short. Fajardo put up a herculean effort, registering 27 points and 23 rebounds in a dominant individual display. However, he received insufficient support from his teammates to secure the win.
The Gin Kings countered Fajardo's brilliance with a coordinated team defense. Key players like RJ Abarrientos, Scottie Thompson, Ralph Cu, Japeth Aguilar, and Norbert Torres banded together to contain the Beermen's primary force, effectively neutralizing San Miguel's offensive flow.
Coaches React: A Wake-Up Call for SMB, a Warning from Ginebra
San Miguel coach Leo Austria acknowledged the defeat as a necessary jolt for his squad. He emphasized that the loss served as a wake-up call, highlighting the danger of falling into a 0-2 hole in the best-of-seven series. "Game 2, it would be an exciting game for us. It's like we've been awakened, and they know it's difficult to be down zero-two," Austria stated in his post-game comments.
On the opposing bench, Ginebra's veteran tactician Tim Cone expects a fierce retaliation from the Beermen. He warned his team to prepare for San Miguel's full arsenal in the upcoming game, knowing the champions will fight desperately to level the series.
Wednesday Showdown: Can Beermen Bounce Back?
The series now shifts to Game 2 this Wednesday evening, January 7, 2026, again at the Smart Araneta Coliseum. The Gin Kings will aim to solidify their advantage and take a commanding 2-0 lead, while the Beermen are forced into a must-win situation to avoid a precarious position.
The second semi-finals series also continues on Wednesday, featuring TNT Tropang 5G and Meralco Bolts. TNT looks to build on their own 1-0 lead after a dramatic comeback from a 21-point first-half deficit to win Game 1, 100-95. Meralco coach Luigi Trillo criticized his team's inability to close out the game, vowing a stronger performance.
All eyes will be on whether the seasoned San Miguel Beermen, led by the formidable June Mar Fajardo, can regroup and turn the tide, or if Barangay Ginebra's momentum will carry them to another pivotal victory.
