San Miguel copped a record-extending 31 PBA championships, including 12 from the Philippine Cup after outdueling TNT in Game 6 of their All-Filipino showdown Sunday, Feb. 1.
San Miguel was the luckier team Sunday night, Feb. 1.
That’s what coach Leo Austria said after the Beermen retained the PBA Philippine Cup trophy at the expense of TNT at the MOA Arena in Pasay.
“I would like to congratulate TNT for bringing out the best in us. Both teams deserve to win the championship, but we’re more lucky,” said Austria after the 92-77 win in Game 6 of the Finals.
But it takes more than luck to win a title, let alone defend it.
It starts with hard work, as clearly shown by June Mar Fajardo, who toiled with a conference-high 29 points and 23 rebounds to lead the way for the league's best All-Filipino team.
He also had two assists, two steals and a block.
With that, Fajardo emerged as the Finals Most Valuable Player, becoming the first recipient of the trophy named after legend Ramon Fernandez.
Lucky or battle-tested?
But Austria was also quick to add that it was the experience of his charges that made the difference in the match witnessed by over 14,000 screaming fans.
“I think the experience of the players. 'Yon ang makapagsasabi kung bakit kami nananalo sa All-Filipino championship,” said Austria, who tied Chot Reyes and Norman Black for third most championships won at 11.
Cjay Perez, a former Best Player of the Conference and Finals MVP, also made his presence felt with 19 points, four rebounds, seven assists and a steal.
Rodney Brondial followed up his 17-point, 15-rebound outing the previous game with 15 points and 13 rebounds, while Marcio Lassiter shot five triples on his way to 13 points for the Beermen, who claimed a 12th Philippine Cup crown and 31 championships overall.
San Miguel actually raced off to a 26-5 start, but sputtered in the middle quarters, where the Tropang 5G even seized the upperhand at 68-66.
But the fourth quarter belonged to the Beermen, who regained control and outgunned their foes once again, 22-9.
“I think the experience of the player, yun makakapag sabi kung bakit kami nananalo sa All-Filipino championship,” said Austria, who tied Chot Reyes and Norman Black for third most championships won at 11.
The Tropang 5G actually closed in halfway through the final frame on Poy Erram’s basket, 73-78.
Fajardo and Lassiter countered with five points to restore order, 83-73.
SMB then limited the Tropang 5G to just four points from there.
Calvin Oftana paced TNT with 28 points, seven rebounds and five assists, but his efforts went for naught.
Jordan Heading shot three treys for 14 markers, while Erram had 11 points, five rebounds, an assist and a block for the Tropang 5G, who fell prey to the same team in back-to-back Philippine Cup finales.
San Miguel vs. TNT 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
—
Like most sportswriters, Jan Ballesteros once dreamed of becoming a professional hooper. But he learned the hard way that it’s not for everyone.
He continues to be involved in the sport he loves, but this time as a member of the PBA Press Corps. Aside from primarily covering the PBA, he is also assigned to cover Gilas Pilipinas.