PBA: San Miguel survives second half Alaska comeback, claims Philippine Cup title

The San Miguel Beermen leaned on the heroic efforts of June Mar Fajardo and Arwind Santos to claim the PBA Philippine Cup title with a 80-78 win on Wednesday at the SMART-Araneta Coliseum.

Santos, who was named finals Most Valuable Player, knocked down the go-ahead three-pointer with 43 seconds remaining to give San Miguel its first All-Filipino title since 2001.

That saved the Beermen from another collapse against the Aces, who battled back from a 23-point deficit to come within a shot of winning the title.

At the end of the game, Santos had accounted for 22 points, 12 rebounds, four blocks, three steals, two assists with just one turnover. Fajardo, on the other hand, had 21 points, 25 rebounds, two assists and a block.

Santos and Fajardo combined for 27 points in the first two quarters to bury the Aces in a 21-point hole at the half.

The Beermen came out swinging, with Santos finding his mark from deep early while Fajardo displayed his moves around the shaded lane. After one, San Miguel found themselves ahead, 21-12.


In the second period, the Beermen continued to find success with their tight rotation, with Ronald Tubid accounting for seven points by halftime.

As expected, Alaska moved in for another one of their patented comebacks in the third period, shackling San Miguel to just 14 points while exploding for 32.

Calvin Abueva led the charge with 13 points, while Sonny Thoss chipped in six in the quarter. Dondon Hontiveros and RJ Jazul had four each, as the Aces shot a cool 50 percent from the field while limiting the one-hot Beermen to just 33 percent. Entering the final period, the Beermen lead was down to three, 62-59.

The Aces then uncorked an 8-0 run to come out ahead, 74-68, with 4:27 left.

But the Beermen responded by stringing together some scrappy baskets to stay in the game.

With Alaska up four after a Sonny Thoss basket, Chris Lutz collected two free throws from the stripe, before Santos knocked down a booming triple to give the Beermen a 79-78 lead with 43 ticks remaining.

In the ensuing play, Alaska set feeding Thoss in the paint against Fajardo. Thoss' shot didn't fall, as Santos collected the board. The Beermen had 24.8 seconds to drain to survive.

Alaska was forced to foul with 18.9 left, and Santos split from the line to give Alaska a chance to win or send the game into overtime. Alex Compton drew up a play, and Calvin Abueva went for the floater to tie the game. The shot rimmed out and Tubid recovered the possession. The guard called for a timeout - one that his team didn't have.

Dondon Hontiveros was sent to the line for the technical free throw, and the shooter missed, giving the ball to San Miguel with six seconds left. Fajardo received the inbounds, but didn't get the expected foul. Abueva and Fajardo settled the jumpball, which was won by Thoss. The big man fed Casio for the win, but the attempt sailed way to the left.

Abueva led the Aces with 23 points and 15 rebounds, while Thoss had 15 points. Baguio added 11 points, while Casio chipped in seven.— JST, GMA News


The scores:

SAN MIGUEL 80 - Santos 22, Fajardo 21, Tubid 12, Lutz 10, Cabagnot 10, Lassiter 5, Maierhofer 0, Ross 0, Kramer 0, Omolon 0, Pascual 0, Fortuna 0, Semerad 0, Chua 0.

ALASKA 78 - Abueva 23, Thoss 15, Baguio 11, Casio 7, Banchero 6, Manuel 4, Hontiveros 4, Jazul 4, Exciminiano 2, Menk 2, Eman 0, Dela Rosa 0, Dela Cruz 0, Espinas 0.

Quartercores: 21-12, 48-27, 62-59, 80-78