Games today:

(Smart Araneta Coliseum)

5:15 p.m. — TNT vs Macau

7:30 p.m. — Ginebra vs Phoenix

San Miguel Beer survived a late Terrafirma rally to carve out a 109-104 victory in the Philippine Basketball Association Governors’ Cup on Saturday at the Ynares Center in Antipolo City.

Import George King delivered another dominant performance with 37 points and 14 rebounds, while CJ Perez added 22 points and six assists as the Beermen stretched their winning streak to two games in the season-ending conference.

San Miguel assistant coach Peter Martin, who took charge in place of head tactician Leo Austria, said they never underestimated Terrafirma despite entering the contest as heavy favorites.

“It was going to be a mortal sin if San Miguel loses. In the dugout, that’s the first thing we told them. We reminded them that Terrafirma came back from 20 points down in the fourth quarter against NLEX and Converge. So it’s not new,” Martin said.

“We were fortunate there. Honestly, at that point in the game, it could’ve gone either way. It could have easily been Terrafirma sitting here before you guys today. Luckily, our defense turned up and allowed the ball to come loose, and I was able to make a play.”

San Miguel appeared headed for a comfortable finish after building a 101-97 advantage with 2:18 remaining, but Terrafirma responded with a furious 7-0 blast highlighted by Maverick Ahanmisi’s layup to seize a 104-101 lead with 1:21 left.

The Beermen answered when King calmly sank two free throws with 48 seconds remaining, igniting a decisive 8-0 run that restored order and sealed the comeback victory.

Don Trollano also provided a spark off the bench with 17 points as San Miguel sits in third in Group A.

Terrafirma continued to show its fighting spirit despite falling to its third straight defeat and a 1-3 record to fifth place in the same group.

Import Jonathan Strings never left the floor, logging all 48 minutes while finishing with 28 points and 12 rebounds, but his effort was not enough to prevent another heartbreaking loss for the Dyip.

Meanwhile, action returns to Smart Araneta Coliseum today with defending champion TNT and Barangay Ginebra making their debuts in the season-ending conference against separate rivals.

Opening the double-header at 5:15 p.m. are the Tropang 5G against guest team Macau followed by the Kings battling streaking Phoenix at 7:30 p.m.

TNT parades temporary import Darius Days while waiting for three-time Best Import Rondae Hollis-Jefferson to recover from an injury.

But head coach Chot Reyes admits the Tropang 5G aren’t particularly in tip-top shape after a runner-up finish in the Commissioner’s Cup.

Jayson Castro (knee), Calvin Oftana (calf), Poy Erram (knee) and Brandon Ganuelas-Rosser (sprained ankle) are not expected to suit up for TNT while Kelly Williams abruptly left for the US last Friday to attend to a family matter, according to Reyes.

“There are still other players available. Basically, we still have Rey Nambatac, (Roger) Pogoy and (Jordan) Heading. That’s basically it,” Reyes said.

TNT is taking on a Giant Pandas side still looking to win after three unsuccessful tries but Reyes is not taking Macau lightly.

“We are not in any position to take any team lightly, with the situation we’re in right now,” he said.

Reigning Commissioner’s Cup champion Ginebra, just like TNT, will enter the tournament with a spare reinforcement and missing a key local.

Head coach Tim Cone puts in Riley Grigsby to fill in the big shoes left by resident import Justin Brownlee, who suffered a hamstring injury he sustained during the Kings’ title conquest.

Veteran guard Scottie Thompson is expected to miss the first few weeks to fully recover from a left hamstring injury.

The Fuel Masters, meanwhile, chase a 3-0 record following victories over Magnolia and Meralco.