via Dason Stephan Guilbuena Sailadin, Pressroom PH
San Miguel crushed TNT’s Grand Slam dream and rose once again as PBA’s supreme.
The Beermen regained the All-Filipino crown after dominating the Grand Slam-seeking Tropang 5G, 107-96, in Game 6 of their best-of-seven finals at the PhilSports Arena in Pasig, on Friday, July 25.
This win marked a triumphant return for San Miguel, who ended a title drought behind the efforts of June Mar Fajardo, CJ Perez, and Jericho Cruz — clinching a record-extending 30th title, 11 of them in All-Filipino play.
Best Player of the Conference Fajardo filled the stat sheet with a double-double production on 24 points and 12 rebounds, while Perez added 24 of his own on top of six assists and three rebounds.
Cruz, who was named Finals MVP, chipped in 13 markers and six dimes, kickstarting a third quarter run which led to San Miguel ballooning their gap against TNT en route to reclaiming the PH cup crown.
Previously, the Beermen captured the All-Filipino crown two years ago after toppling the Tropang 5G, only to fall short of a repeat last year with a bitter six-game finals loss to the Meralco Bolts.
But this time, they made sure the ending was theirs.
Both teams came out swinging right out of the gate, exchanging baskets in the first, until TNT pulled away with inside the paint shots from Calvin Oftana to take an early 25-23 lead.
San Miguel then answered back in the second quarter with an offensive onslaught as Fajardo scored for most of the frame and Perez drained a four-pointer in the last seconds, ending the opening half at 52-47.
After Cruz opened the third with a solo nine-point rally, the Beermen maintained their momentum, as key players stepped up big time, extending their advantage to as far as 20.
Fajardo, Perez, and Cruz continued to apply pressure to TNT through clutch scoring in the fourth, sustaining the edge they had over the Tropang 5G to eventually nail the title.
Backstopping the Beermen’s offensive trio was Don Trollano and Mo Tautuaa who finished with a combined 22 points.
On the other side, Oftana led TNT with 19 points in the tough loss, followed by Kelly Williams with 17 and Brandon Rosser with 15.
Almond Vosotros and Jordan Heading each chipped in 13, while RR Pogoy added 12, but despite their efforts, San Miguel proved too strong, closing out the series decisively in Game 6.
