After 17 long years, the San Miguel Beermen’s dry spell in the Commissioner’s Cup has finally come to an end
The storied franchise bagged the 2017 Commissioner’s Cup crown, the team’s 24th trophy, as they stamped their class over the TNT Katropa, 115-91, in Game Six, Sunday night at the SMART-Araneta Coliseum. This is San Miguel’s first Commissioner’s Cup championship since 2000.
This is the Beermen’s third Commissioner’s Cup title overall. Moreover, SMB have won their second straight championship this season, setting them on pace to attain a rare Grand Slam feat.
Alex Cabagnot was declared the Cignal Finals Most Valuable Player with 19 points, 12 rebounds, and 11 assists — the first triple-double output in a finals game since Willie Miller did it in 2005 with the Talk ‘N Text Phone Pals.
The 5-foot-10 Fil-American gunslinger averaged notable numbers of 20.3 points, 8.0 rebounds, 5.8 assists, and 1.3 steals in the series.
Charles Rhodes paced San Miguel in the early-goings, scoring 14 of his game-high 30 points in the opening frame. The reigning Best Import added 11 rebounds, two steals, and four blocks to his statline.
The team in red were already ablaze in the second quarter, leaving their rivals nothing but overwhelmed. An Arwind Santos step-back triple at the right wing with 1:38 to go prior to halftime gave SMB a 60-40 advantage.
Santos finished with 17 points to go along with seven rebounds. Marcio Lassiter added 24 points, knocking down five triples in the game.
After establishing the 20-point cushion, the Beermen never looked back and made it a one-sided affair all throughout. A Chris Ross lay-up sent San Miguel past the century mark, 101-78, with 6:51 left to play, enough to seal the deal.
But the surge continued, as San Miguel led by as much as 28 points, 115-87, after two free throws by David Semerad with 44 seconds remaining.
Reigning MVP June Mar Fajardo was limited to just two points, but the Beermen did not need his usual production, as they shot 51 percent from the field, assisting on 24 of their 43 field goals. The Beermen also waxed hot from downtown, going 12-for-29 from distance.
Sophomore Troy Rosario led TNT with 21 points, while rookie RR Pogoy added 16 points. Joshua Smith ended his TNT campaign with 15 points and six rebounds.
Coach Leo Austria has yet to lose a Finals series in the PBA.
The Scores:
San Miguel (115) – Rhodes 30, Lassiter 24, Cabagnot 19, Santos 17, Ross 14, Espinas 5, Semerad 4, Fajardo 2, Agovida 0, Heruela 0, McCarthy 0, Van Opstal 0, De Ocampo 0.
TNT (91) – Rosario 21, Pogoy 16, Smith 15, Castro 13, De Ocampo 7, Garcia 7, Tautuaa 4, Williams 4, Rosales 2, Semerad 2, Reyes 0.
Quarterscores: 37-26, 62-42, 94-69, 115-91.
