San Miguel completed a PBA Philippine Cup repeat following a masterful 92-77 conquest of TNT in Game 6 of the Finals, Sunday night.
No longer keen on giving their long-rivals a chance to send the best-of-7 affair into a winner-take-all, the Beermen started with guns ablaze before showing their vaunted poise en route to retaining the Jun Bernardino Trophy.
By taking its 12th title in the most prestigious conference, the flagship SMC franchise further solidified its status as the league’s winningest team with 31 championships — more than double that of the second-best team, Ginebra, which has 15.
“It’s very obvious that the players didn’t want to lose this game, because they didn’t want to have another game on Wednesday,” said head coach Leo Austria.
(C) PBA Images
June Mar Fajardo time and again starred for SMB with 29 points and 23 rebounds, powering his side to the early lead. He then provided the necessary stabilizing presence in the fourth, eventually earning Finals MVP honors.
The Cebuano star has earned the award given by the PBA Press Corps for a record fifth time now, breaking a tie with Danny Seigle, James Yap, and LA Tenorio — although this one should be the most special of ’em all.
That’s because he became the first-ever recipient of the Ramon Fernandez Trophy, which from now on will be given to Finals MVP honors. And ‘El Presidente’ himself was there to personally hand him the prestigious golden hardware.
“Nakita ko ‘yung mga teammates ko kung gaano sila ka-pursigido manalo. Siyempre, isa ako sa mga leader ng team, so kailangan kong ipakita na ganun din ako, na gusto ko rin manalo,” said the 36-year-old Fajardo.
(C) PBA Images
CJ Perez, Rodney Brondial, Marcio Lassiter, and Chris Ross all came through with commendable performances as well, much to the delight of Austria, who now has 11 league championships under his belt.
The former cager turned mentor has joined Tropang 5G head coach Chot Reyes and Norman Black for the third-most crowns by a coach in the league.
“Bida rito ang mga players, dahil sa kanila nagmukha na naman akong magaling,” said Austria, who’s also gone 8-0 in the Philippine Cup Finals.
Perez finished with 19 points, four rebounds, and seven assists. Brondial posted 15 points and 13 rebounds to finish the series with back-to-back doubles.
Lassiter supplied 13 points as he was among those who dealt the heavy punches approaching the final minutes to help seal the deal.
The PBA’s all-time threes leader knocked down a booming trifecta to push their lead to 83-73 with 4:30 left, and that signaled a celebration within their fans who were part of the 14,000-plus that trooped to the Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay.
(C) PBA Images
Ross, for his part, had nine points, four rebounds, and five assists, but it was his defense on opposing star Calvin Oftana that stood out the most.
Oftana carried the load for his side offensively in the first half with 21 points to bring themselves into the game after that lackadaisical start. However, he couldn’t sustain that fiery form, as the decorated playmaker stood in his way.
Still, TNT managed to take the lead at 68-66 behind a Jordan Heading three-pointer off a Kelly Williams assist late in the third. But Don Trollano and Fajardo were quick to retake the upper hand before the period came to a close.
Tautua’a, Ross, and Fajardo then opened the final period with an 8-0 spurt toward a 78-68 lead, and SMB would stay in the lead for good.
“Talagang ‘yung team namin, ayaw magpatalo,” said Austria, whose charges ultimately won it all despite a rare 0-2 start into the season.
Oftana finished with 28 points for TNT. Heading made 14 points while Poy Erram added 11 points in yet another heartbreaking defeat.
Now, both teams will head into a month-long break before turning their attention to the Season 50 Commissioner’s Cup, which begins in March.
The Scores:
San Miguel 92 – Fajardo 29, Perez 19, Brondial 15, Lassiter 13, Ross 9, Trollano 4, Tautuaa 3, Rosales 0, Cruz 0.
TNT 77 – Oftana 28, Heading 14, Erram 11, Williams 6, Galinato 6, Khobuntin 4, Ganuelas-Rosser 3, Enciso 3, Nambatac 2, Nieto 0.
Quarterscores: 26-10, 49-39, 70-68, 92-77.
