Sizzling Santos, Fajardo lift Beerman to title
MANILA (PBA Philippine Cup) - San Miguel Beer are celebrating their 20th title after winning the Philippine Cup championship in dramatic fashion.
In a thrilling Game 7 of the title series against the Alaska Aces, the Beerman blew a 23-point lead but managed to scrape an 80-78 triumph in the last minute.
#Champions #FearTheBeer Congrats SMB 🏆🍻 pic.twitter.com/TJCCKlHmAo
— San Miguel Beermen (@TheSMBeermen) January 21, 2015Arwind Santos, who has played for the Philippines national team, drilled a go-ahead three-pointer with 43.7 seconds remaining to lift his side to victory.
Santos had 22 points in the contest. He averaged 18.5 points, 9.7 rebounds and 2.5 blocks in the seven-game series and was named the MVP of the Finals.
ICYMI: June Mar, Arwind shine as San Miguel wins Game Seven, claims Philippine Cup crown
http://t.co/NI4OUvSzly pic.twitter.com/XGkmlZ7ZSI
— PBAonTV5 (@PBAonTV5) January 21, 2015June Mar Fajardo, the Filipino who shone for the national side at the FIBA Basketball World Cup in Spain and was honored as the Best Player of the Conference, had 21 points and 25 rebounds in Wednesday's decisive triumph.
Game 7 was played before 22,511 spectators.
The All-Filipino crown is San Miguel Beer's first in 14 years.
Leo Austria, the coach of the winning side, paid tribute to the runners-up.
"I would like to congratulate the entire Alaska team," he said.
"This is unbelievable."
San Miguel Beer fans had some worried looks on their faces in the second half because twice before in the series, the Alaska side had battled back from huge deficits to win.
They fell behind by 22 points in Game 1 yet prevailed, and 21 in Game 3 but also won that encounter.
