San Miguel Beer has scored first in the semifinal series against Burger King with a 102-87 victory in Game 1 of the 2008-09 Motolite-PBA Fiesta Conference Wednesday night at the Araneta Coliseum.

Gabe Freeman, Anthony Washington and Dondon Hontiveros sparked a third-quarter run that helped their team win the series opener.

The triumvirate posted 26 points, outscoring the Whoppers’ production (22) in that stage to put up a 79-59 advantage entering the final quarter.

“It’s just one game. Knowing coach Yeng (Guiao), he’ll make adjustments in the next,” said San Miguel head coach Siot Tanquingcen.

Freeman finished with a game-high 22 points, 14 came after halftime where the Beermen seized control of the contest.

Washington added 17 markers while Hontiveros and Danny Ildefonso chipped in 14 and 10 markers respectively.

“Siguro pagod lang sila because we know they came from a difficult series against Sta. Lucia,” Tanquingcen added.

JR Quinahan paced Burger King with 17 points and 11 rebounds while Mark Yee contributed a personal-high 16 markers for coach Yeng Guiao.

Guiao failed to get a decent showing from his reliable, particularly Arwind Santos and Gary David, who both struggled from the field.

Rain or Shine shocked Gin Kings

In the second game, Rain or Shine rallied back to shock Barangay Ginebra, 101-95, and grab Game 1 in their own best-of-seven semifinal series.

Rob Wainwright scored a critical three-pointer in the closing minutes then
Jireh Ibanes made two crucial plays down the stretch to complete the Elasto Painters’ come-from-behind win.

Wainwright finished with 20 points, none bigger than his fourth three-pointer in the match that put the momentum back to Rain or Shine and never look back to steal the series opener.

Gabe Norwood added 16 markers and 10 boards for the Elasto Painters, whose lineup had been depleted anew as Ryan Arana had a fractured right hand in the first quarter while Sol Mercado dressed up but did not play due to hamstring injury.

“It’s pure hard work and team effort. We are underdogs here and nobody expected us to be here,” said Elasto Painters mentor Caloy Garcia who also drew 14 points and 16 rebounds from import Jai Lewis.

“But we’re playing Ginebra. You don’t win the series by winning the first game. It’s still a long series,” he added.