The San Miguel Beermen dethroned their tormentor, the Meralco Bolts, when they met anew in the PBA Season 49 Philippine Cup quarterfinals.
It’s all about pride.
A little over a year ago, San Miguel licked its wounds as it watched Meralco hoist the PBA Philippine Cup trophy — the Bolts' first-ever title in the league — after six grueling games in the Finals.
This time around, the Beermen made sure they would write a different story — and it would be in their favor.
Facing Meralco in the quarterfinals of the same conference Friday, June 20, San Miguel flipped the script this time via a 108-97 victory to march into the semifinals.
“It’s all about pride because we know in the last championship, Meralco beat us. We redeemed ourselves in that loss,” said Austria after the match at the Ninoy Aquino Stadium in Malate.
Austria, who acted as consultant for the then-head coach Jorge Gallent at the time, was quick to add that the team wasn't actually thinking about revenge. They were only aiming to move one step further in the tournament, and the Bolts just happened to stand in their way.
“What we’re thinking is we get to the next level,” said Austria. “We don’t care kung sino ang kalaban. No grudge para sa’min.”
“We’re thinking of how to improve everyday because a lot of teams are getting better.”
Rodney Brondial is the Player of the Game. | Photo (c) RM Chua/One Sports
June Mar Fajardo, front-runner in the Best Player of the Conference race, spearheaded SMB's assault with 23 points, 15 rebounds and four blocks.
Juami Tiongson and Don Trollano had 19 points each, Cjay Perez scored 14 and dished out nine assists, while Rodney Brondial added 13 markers and 12 boards.
[ALSO READ: PBA: Unfamiliar territory for Tiongson as San Miguel claims top spot, sets up QF vs Meralco]
But while the Beermen were in control in the first half, the Bolts tried to hang on to their throne.
Meralco showed some championship poise and trimmed a double-digit deficit, coming within two, 75-77, on Norbert Torres' triple over Fajardo with 1:26 left in the third period.
But SMB retaliated with a 10-2 tear to start the fourth, regaining steam to push the lead back to double digits, 91-77.
The Beermen did just enough from there to keep the Bolts at bay.
“Alam naming kaya nilang bumalik,” said Player of the Game Rodney Brondial.
“Mataas ang respeto namin sa kanila. Pride lang namin na gusto talga naming manalo.”
The loss put to waste a 32-point outing from Chris Banchero, who also had five rebounds and two assists.
Chris Newsome added 23 points, 11 rebounds, six assists, a steal and a block for Meralco, which is coming off a quarterfinal stint in the Basketball Champions League in Dubai.
San Miguel vs. Meralco scores:
SAN MIGUEL 108 – Fajardo 23, Trollano 19, Tiongson 19, Perez 14, Brondial 13, Tauatuaa 10, Cruz 5, Lassiter 3, Ross 0, Cahilig 0, Rosales 0.
MERALCO 97 – Banchero 32, Newsome 23, Torres 13, Quinto 6, Almazan 6, Hodge 5, Bates 4, Cansino 4, Jose 4, Pascual 0, Black 0, Rios 0.
Quarterscores: 35-20, 58-44, 81-75, 108-97.