RAISE a glass to the San Miguel Beermen, the new PBA Philippine Cup kings and grand slam stoppers.
Denied two nights ago, the Beermen brought out the big guns and took care of the clincher business in Game 6 with a 107-96 dispatching of TNT Friday at the PhilSports Arena.
June Mar Fajardo delivered a "Kraken-sized" performance in leading SMB to the 4-2 series verdict, banging in 24 points on a near-flawless 11-of-12 shooting, grabbing 12 rebounds and issuing three assists.
He was surrounded by solid outings all-around with CJ Perez matching his scoring tally, Jericho Cruz and Don Trollano firing 13 and 12, respectively, off the bench, Mo Tautuaa dropping 10 and veterans Chris Ross (nine) and Marcio Lassiter (seven) doing lots of clutch things like before.
Cruz was adjudged Finals MVP for his strong showing throughout highlighted by averages of 13.8 points, 3.5 rebounds and 3.3 assists.
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The Beermen ended a string of heartaches that followed their last triumph in the Season 48 Commissioner's Cup in February 2024, and gained redemption after bungling their defense of that title and missing the playoffs entirely in Season 49.
"Matagal kaming hindi nag-champion kaya thankful kami nakuha namin itong championship," said Fajardo.
With this golden finish, the Beermen jacked up their overall trophy collection to a record-extending 30.
On their way back to the throne, Fajardo and Co. played spoiler to the Tropang 5G's grand plans of joining the league's Grand Slam club.
TNT collared the crown in the season-opening Governors' Cup crown then annexed the Commissioner's Cup before settling for runner-up honors in the culminating All-Filipino.
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Calvin Oftana, with 19, and Kelly Williams, with 17, paced the injury-hit Tropang 5G.(OL)
The scores
San Miguel 107 - Fajardo 24, Perez 24, Cruz 13, Trollano 12, Tautuaa 10, Ross 9, Lassiter 7, Brondial 4, Tiongson 4, Teng 0.
TNT 96 - Oftana 19, Williams 17, Ganuelas-Rosser 15, Heading 13, Vosotros 13, Pogoy 12, Khobuntin 5, Aurin 2, Heruela 0, Galinato 0.
Quarterscores: 23-25, 52-47, 86-76, 107-96
