San Miguel deals Magnolia heartbreaker, clinches PBA Commissioner's Cup title

Already the winningest franchise, the Beermen are back on top anew.

San Miguel got the job done in Game 6 against Magnolia, pulling off a 104-102 victory to emerge as the champion of the PBA Season 48 Commissioner's Cup on Wednesday at the Smart Araneta Coliseum. 

The Beermen also extended their record championship tally to 29 while bagging their fifth overall in the Commissioner's Cup. 

San Miguel won the first two games before the Hotshots crawled back from that deficit and tied the series at two games apiece. But the Beermen restored order by winning the next two to deny the top seed Magnolia and claim the title. 

Carrying a 51-46 halftime lead, the Hotshots managed to put together a massive third quarter where veterans Paul Lee and Mark Barroca waxed hot from deep to send their squad to a 13-point lead twice before they headed to the fourth with an 82-73 cushion.

However, the Beermen fought their way back.

CJ Perez, who was bothered by four early fouls, fired a triple before import Bennie Boatwright’s own basket cut SMB's deficit to six, 90-84, halfway through the payoff period.

Perez continued to rally the Beermen after completing a fastbreak layup that would slice the gap to three, 95-92, with 2:50 left.

Lee, who turned 35 on Valentine's day, buried a huge triple that could have been the dagger, but the Beermen backcourt did not let that dampen their hopes.

A Jericho Cruz triple cut the deficit to one, 98-97, before Chris Ross and CJ Perez weaved back-to-back long bombs to seal the deal.

Perez was eventually named Finals MVP just days after hoisting his breakthrough Best Player of the Conference as he finished with 28 points while June Mar Fajardo and Boatwright each tallied 19 markers.

Scores:

San Miguel 104 – Perez 28, Boatwright 19, Fajardo 19, Cruz 12, Trollano 10, Ross Tautuaa 4, 9, Enciso 2, Teng 1, Lassiter 0.

Magnolia 102 – Lee 25, Bey 18, Sangalang 16, Jalalon 12, Barroca 11, Dela Rosa 9, Dionisio 7, Abueva 4, Tratter 0, Escoto 0.

Quarters: 22-26, 46-51, 73-82, 104-102

—JKC, GMA Integrated News