SAN MIGUEL BEERMEN WINS PBA ALL-FILIPINO TITLE AFTER 14 YEARS
By Maloney L. Samaco
PhilBoxing.com
Thu, 22 Jan 2015
The San Miguel Beermen finally won their All-Filipino conference title after 14 years by defeating tough Alaska Aces, 80-78, in an exciting do-or-die Game Seven of the PBA Philippine Cup finals last night at the SMART-Araneta Coliseum.
The last time San Miguel won an importless tournament crown was during the 2001 All-Filipino Cup during the time of coach Jong Uichico when the MVP was Danny Ildefonso.
June Mar Fajardo and Arwind Santos, the MVPs of the last two PBA seasons, contributed huge numbers in leading the Beermen to victory in the cardiac game. Fajardo had 21 points and 25 rebounds while Santos had 22 points, 12 rebounds, three steals and four blocks for the new champions.
The 6-foot-10 Cebuano center dominated the first half of the game to lead the Beermen, 21-12, at the end of the first quarter. The gap widened in the second period when Fajardo, Best Player of the Conference, remained unstoppable in offense while controlling the boards on both ends of the court. Ronald Tubid also contributed seven points in crushing Alaska further, 45-23, at the half with San Miguel's biggest lead at 23.
But Alaska would not hand San Miguel the crown in a silver platter. Calvin Abueva led a 32-14 third quarter rally as they cut the lead to just three points, 62-59, going into the final period.
Abueva scored eight of Alaska?s first 10 points as he sparked a 10-2 run for the Aces. He scored a total of 13 points. Sonny Thoss likewise poured in baskets in the paint and at the same time putting a crippling defense on Fajardo.
The fourth quarter was more physical as Alaska made a big run. Thoss scored on a basket on a pick and roll while Abueva assisted Ping Exciminiano on a fastbreak to enable Alaska to tie with San Miguel at 68-68.
The Aces overtook the Beermen for the first time since the first quarter when Cyrus Baguio scored on another transition. Abueva again sank back-to-back baskets to spark an 11-0 run that gave the Alaska a 74-68 lead with 4:21 remaining in the game.
When everything seemed to go on the Aces' way, San Miguel recovered from their silence when Fajardo hit a pair of free throws and Chris Lutz scored to close back to within two points, 74-72.
Santos resurrected the San Miguel spirits sinking a booming three-pointer to grab the driver's seat at 79-78 with 43.7 seconds left.
He pulled a big rebound on a Thoss miss and connected one free throw to make it 80-78 with 18.9 seconds remaining.
Abueva missed two equalizing basket as Tubid grabbed the rebound but called for a timeout when his team has no timeout left resulting in a technical free throw. Dondon Hontiveros missed the shot, with San Miguel on a two-point lead with five seconds left.
JVee Casio missed a three-point attempt at the buzzer giving the Beermen its 20th title and the winningest in PBA history. The last time they won a crown was during the 2011 Governors Cup as Petron Blaze Boosters.
Santos was awarded the Finals MVP as he averaged 18.4 points, 9.5 rebounds and 2.5 blocks throughout the championship series and connected the crucial triple which gave his team the lead in the dying seconds.
?I think lahat ng hard work ng hirap ko sa amateur, sa collegiate, nakita ko sa PBA. With this championship, it means I can compete. It?s the No. 1 league in the country and I?m so happy,? coach Leo Austria was quoted by InterAksyon.com.
Click here to view a list of other articles written by Maloney L. Samaco.
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