San Miguel Beermen reclaim PBA Philippine Cup title

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

The Beermen on Sunday took down TNT Tropang Giga, 119-97, in Game 7 of the All-Filipino finals at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.

After trailing by five, 47-42, before the halfway mark of the second period, the Beermen made a 14-0 run to get a 56-47 lead.

San Miguel entered the half with a 66-55 lead after a big 37-point scoring output in the second period.

Already playing without head coach Chot Reyes, who entered health and safety protocols before the game, TNT also lost center Poy Erram, who was ejected for a Flagrant 2 near the end of the first half.

The Tropang Giga, though, relied on a strong third quarter as they reclaimed the lead, 73-72, at the 5:53 mark of the said frame. The Tropang Giga exploded for 34 points and limited SMB to just 18 to have the upper hand heading into the fourth period with an 89-84 advantage.

But SMB opened the final period with a 17-0 run to seize the lead, 101-89, before Chris Ross got hot and made three triples to give the Beermen a comfortable margin, 116-94. June Mar Fajardo joined the three-point party before they eventually cruised to the victory and the crown.

In total, SMB had 35 points while TNT was held to only 8 points in the fourth period.

CJ Perez, for his first PBA title, scored 25 points, seven assists, and four rebounds. Fellow first-time champs Vic Manuel, Mo Tautuaa, and Simon Enciso had 16, 13, and 12 points, respectively.

Best Player of the Conference June Mar Fajardo, who was also named as Finals MVP, had 19 points and 18 rebounds in the Game 7 win.

Jayson Castro gave his all for TNT and flirted with a triple-double 32 points, 10 rebounds, and 8 assists. Mikey Williams had 22 points while RR Pogoy and Troy Rosario added 16 and 11 points each.

The Beermen last had the All-Filipino title in 2019, their last of five straight years since 2014.

The scores:

SMB 119 - Perez 25, Fajardo 19, Manuel 16, Lassiter 15, Tautuaa 13, Enciso 12, Cruz 4, Brondial 3, Canete 0, Faundo 0, Pessumal 0.

TNT 97 - Castro 32, M. Williams 22, Pogoy 16, Rosario 11, Erram 7, K. Williams 6, Marcelo 3, Montalbo 0, Reyes 0, Ganuelas-Rosser 0.

Quarters: 29-31, 66-55, 84-89, 119-97.

—JMB, GMA News