It seems like defending champion San Miguel Beer is following the same script it had during the elimination round.

After a bad start, the Beermen went on a roll.

Such is the trend of San Miguel in the semifinals as it aims for a third straight win and a step closer to the biggest stage against Barangay Ginebra in Game 4 of the Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) Season 50 Philippine Cup today at the Mall of Asia Arena.

The Beermen, after dropping the series opener that snapped its 10-game winning streak since their third game in the elims, have won back-to-back games to take a 2-1 lead in the best-of-seven showdown.

San Miguel eyes to extend its cushion in the 5:15 p.m. match, which serves as an appetizer for the 7:30 p.m. nightcap featuring TNT and Meralco.

Despite the limited production of center June Mar Fajardo following a record-setting three straight 20-20 production, the Beermen showcased their depth with a 91-85 victory on Friday, riding on the 33-point explosion of Don Trollano.

“I’m so happy with the team because everybody’s supporting each other,” San Miguel head coach Leo Austria said as his squad barely felt the effect of Fajardo scoring only six points in a 1-of-8 shooting clip and 19 rebounds after averaging 24 markers and 23 boards in the first two games.

San Miguel’s bench has also played a pivotal role in the last two games, averaging 50 points per outing after just 29 in Game 1.

“Also, a big factor for us is our bench scoring more than our starters,” Austria added.

Now in a precarious position, the Kings will try to bounce back and equalize.

Ginebra head coach Tim Cone took responsibility for the loss and vowed to do a better job to get back on track.

“That’s on me. Didn’t get our guys ready, locked in. I got to do a better job getting the guys locked in and get ready to play,” Cone said.

“We just can’t come in and battle and fight. You got to play great and we didn’t play great tonight. Again, that’s on me and I got to figure it out.”

Meanwhile, the Bolts will try to ride the momentum of their 97-88 Game 3 win that ended a two-game bleeding to knot the series.

“They showed a lot of courage and character in this game. Hopefully we can carry it over for the next game,” Meralco coach Luigi Trillo said.

“I truly believe this series is far from over. We have what it takes but it’s gonna take double the effort for that Sunday game.”

Chris Banchero and CJ Cansino led the way in the important win but paid a steep price after main scorer Chris Newsome hurt his left knee late in the fourth quarter.

Newsome walked out of the arena on his own but was strapped with an immobilizer on his knee. He sustained the injury when Banchero accidentally rolled on his leg with 2:01 left in the final period.

Despite the loss, Tropang 5G mentor Chot Reyes knows his men will bounce back and inch closer to a fourth straight finals appearance.

“I thought our defense was not bad. We kept them to the mid-90s,” he said.  

But TNT hopes to address its offensive woes to keep control of the series.