San Miguel outlasts Magnolia to win 5th straight Philippine Cup

June Mar Fajardo scores over Rafi Reavis. PBA Images

The San Miguel Beermen are still the kings of the PBA Philippine Cup.

Led by June Mar Fajardo, the gallant Beermen rallied from a 17-point deficit in the second half to fashion out a thrilling 72-71 victory over the Magnolia Hotshots in Game Seven of their title series on Wednesday at Araneta Coliseum on Wednesday.

The five-time PBA Most Valuable Player posted monster numbers of 17 points and 31 rebounds in the low-scoring affair for San Miguel, which also had key contributions from mainstays Arwind Santos and Alex Cabagnot.

Fajardo broke the PBA record for most rebounds by a local set by Jinkee Simbulan in 1975. It also tied the tally of Filipino-American forward Jeff Moore with amateur guest team Northern Consolidated in 1985.

Magnolia still led, 71-70, on a basket by Ian Sangalang with two minutes remaining in the game. After an exchange of fruitless attempts by both teams, Cabagnot scored on a tough fadeaway over Paul Lee to put San Miguel up, 72-71, with 57 seconds remaining.

Jio Jalalon missed on the potential go-ahead basket, giving Fajardo, his 30th rebound with less than 20 seconds remaining. San Miguel, however, turned the ball over on its inbound, giving the Hotshots another chance.

The Beermen foiled another attempt by Jalalon inside, allowing Fajardo to grab his 31st rebound with 4.8 seconds left.

The Cebuano big man missed both free throws, but Lee was unable to get a good attempt from the backcourt as the final buzzer sounded.

Cabagnot led San Miguel with 18 points, while Santos finished with 17 along with 10 rebounds.

"Magnolia put up a great fight," Cabagnot said in a television interview after the game.

Sangalang scored 18 points for the Hotshots, while veteran Rafi Reavis had 11 points and eight rebounds before fouling out in a gallant effort trying to defend the gargantuan Fajardo down low. —JST, GMA News