Jay R. Gotera Saudi Gazette MANILA — Rookie 6'11” center Greg Slaughter made one gigantic play after another to lead the Barangay Ginebra San Miguel Kings to a pulsating come-from-behind 94-91 victory over the San Mig Super Coffee Mixers in Game 6 of their PLDT myDSL-PBA Philippine Cup semifinal series at the packed Smart-Araneta Coliseum Monday. The win tied the best-of-seven series at 3-3, forcing a colossal do-or-die Game 7 Wednesday night. The winner of that match advances to the best-of-seven Finals against the Rain or Shine Elasto Painters beginning Friday. Slaughter exploded for 20 points, including seven of Ginebra's final 10 points, leading his team's decisive run in the endgame after being down by 13 points at the start of the third quarter. The Ginebra giant, the top draft pick this season, also snagged 11 rebounds. The Mixers appeared to be in control of the match as they lead 50-41 at halftime. The Kings went to their locker room with heads bowed. Inside, they had a surprise visitor: former Ginebra playing-coach and senator Robert Jaworski, known in Philippine basketball as the Living Legend. Considered as the heart and soul of the Ginebra franchise, Jaworski gave a rousing pep talk to the embattled Kings to try and revive the never-say-die spirit which the team has long been known for. The Kings responded with one fiery run after another midway in the third quarter and in the final period. Led by the backcourt duo of Mark Caguioa and LA Tenorio, the Kings finally grabbed the lead, 78-77. The Mixers refused to back down as Marc Pingris repeatedly defied Ginebra's defenders to score inside the paint. With San Mig up by five, 84-79, the Kings uncorked a 9-2 run to regain the lead, 88-86. Peter June Simon struck back with a three-point play over Slaughter to give San Mig back the edge with two minutes left. Simon scored again on a putback jumper to give San Mig a 91-88 lead with time winding down. But when all hope seemed lost, Slaughter nailed a tough jumper with a foul to boot from Rafi Reavis. He missed the free throw that could have tied the game. San Mig's Mark Barroca found himself open for a three-pointer and let loose a shot that could have spelled Ginebra's doom. But he missed, and in the rebound battle James Yap was called for a foul on Caguioa, sending the Ginebra top gun to the free throw line. Caguioa, the 2012 PBA Most Valuable Player, coolly sank two pressure-packed free throws as Ginebra grabbed back the lead, 92-91,with 16.2 ticks left. After Simon missed a floater, Slaughter snagged the rebound and was fouled. The gentle giant swished in the two free throws for a 94-91 Ginebra lead with two seconds left. San Mig still had a chance to force overtime but James Yap missed a desperation shot from way out as the final buzzer sounded. Caguioa led Ginebra with 21 points. Tenorio finished with 16 points, while Japeth added 13 markers. Pingris was the main man for San Mig with 20 points, six rebounds, and five assists. Simon added 17 points while Barroca and Ian Sangalang chipped in with 14 and 12 points respectively. Game Wednesday: San Mig Super Coffee vs. Barangay Ginebra (Game 7, semifinals).
