MANILA, Philippines – The San Miguel Beermen needed almost all four quarters to catch up with Magnolia Hotshots but finally closed the series with a 104-102 win for the 29th PBA title on Wednesday, February 14, 2024, at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
Redemption or coronation?
That’s game 6’s theme, as Magnolia sought to extend the series while San Miguel aimed to finish it off its rival.
With their backs against the wall, the Hotshots, led by Jio Jalalon and Calvin Abueva, went scorching early in the first to increase their chance of playing a game 7.
Like the previous games, turnovers punished SMB, plus Bennie Boatwright Jr.’s less aggressiveness at the dawn of every game in the series.
Despite Boatwright Jr.’s offensive hibernation, the locals, spearheaded by June Mar Fajardo, forced their way to catch up with Magnolia and narrowed the gap.
Without ample support from their import, the Beermen struggled to match up Hotshot’s intensity on the floor.
By the last 2 minutes of the 1st quarter, Magnolia’s lead had gotten to almost a double-digit; good thing that Don Trollano salvaged a few points to cut the margin to 26-22 to wrap it up.
How did the Beermen start their 2nd quarter? By allowing “The Kraken” to shoot from the outside and nailing it.
The result? Instant lead for San Miguel.
Aside from offensive onslaught from SMB, Magnolia collected a handful of fouls. Mark Barocca absorbed the heavy casualty with his 3rd personal with over 8 minutes left.
It was a lucky break for the Hotshots as Mo Tautuaa was called for two goal-tending violations that paved the way for them to retake the lead.
Tyler Bey was offensively quiet in the first half. Despite not filling his stats sheet, he was more active in defusing Boatwright Jr. from all angles, which is why San Miguel couldn’t take over.
Barocca might have been nursing his fouls from the sidelines, but it seemed his team still had him as Paul Lee began to pound SMB from the three-point territory.
Lee’s heroic acts in the 2nd period saved Magnolia from a San Miguel getaway, putting the team on top, 51-46, entering the 2nd half.
Lee’s waxing hot hand continued in the 3rd quarter while CJ Perez helped San Miguel counter “Lethal Weapon’s” offensive tenacity.
Not only was Lee impacting Magnolia, but Barocca, who just checked in after a quarter of rest due to foul trouble, also made it rain from the outside to ramp up their lead to double-figure.
Aside from Boatwright Jr., Jericho Cruz was also a missing link in this game. Cruz previously dropped 30 points but had difficulty scoring in tonight’s game.
Nothing was going right for San Miguel in the 3rd quarter—even the supposedly easy baskets, such as free throws, kept on rimming out.
In contrast, Magnolia’s goal seemed more expansive than usual, as almost every basket counted, even Bey’s treys.
At the end of the penultimate period, Magnolia still led San Miguel, 82-73.
San Miguel had a slight ray of hope of ending the series as Cruz started to connect from downtown in the final canto.
Little by little, the Beermen were inching closer to the Hotshots. At the 7th-minute mark, they trimmed the lead down to just 6 from as high as 13.
SMB’s defense also intensified in the 4th quarter, preventing Magnolia from pulling away.
Magnolia dodged a big bullet after San Miguel made it to just a 3-point deficit, and Lee immediately retaliated with a long triple.
Despite Lee’s three-pointer, Magnolia hit a couple more setbacks as Barocca got fouled out, and SMB trailed just by a half-shot.
A century-mark luck.
At the 1:27 mark of the ultimate period, Perez found the open Chris Ross at the corner right. Without hesitation, Ross fired a three for the 100-99 lead.
Ross’ triple was just the start of a handful of good things that happened to SMB late in the fourth: Magnolia committed a crucial turnover, and Perez sank a deep triple right after.
The Hotshots had a final chance to turn things around as Aris Dionisio launched a stone-cold three-pointer with 20 ticks left on the clock.
Cruz split his charities, but it was enough to seal the deal 104-102 and earned San Miguel’s 29th PBA title and first ever for Coach Jorge Gallent.
Perez, the Best Player of the Conference, was outstanding in the series and awarded the Finals MVP.
— Joey Boy Capos, The Summit Express
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| "The sweetest victory ever.” CJ Perez won the Best Player of the Conference, Championship title, and Finals MVP. Photo Credit: PBA |
Redemption or coronation?
That’s game 6’s theme, as Magnolia sought to extend the series while San Miguel aimed to finish it off its rival.
With their backs against the wall, the Hotshots, led by Jio Jalalon and Calvin Abueva, went scorching early in the first to increase their chance of playing a game 7.
Like the previous games, turnovers punished SMB, plus Bennie Boatwright Jr.’s less aggressiveness at the dawn of every game in the series.
Despite Boatwright Jr.’s offensive hibernation, the locals, spearheaded by June Mar Fajardo, forced their way to catch up with Magnolia and narrowed the gap.
Without ample support from their import, the Beermen struggled to match up Hotshot’s intensity on the floor.
By the last 2 minutes of the 1st quarter, Magnolia’s lead had gotten to almost a double-digit; good thing that Don Trollano salvaged a few points to cut the margin to 26-22 to wrap it up.
How did the Beermen start their 2nd quarter? By allowing “The Kraken” to shoot from the outside and nailing it.
The result? Instant lead for San Miguel.
Aside from offensive onslaught from SMB, Magnolia collected a handful of fouls. Mark Barocca absorbed the heavy casualty with his 3rd personal with over 8 minutes left.
It was a lucky break for the Hotshots as Mo Tautuaa was called for two goal-tending violations that paved the way for them to retake the lead.
Tyler Bey was offensively quiet in the first half. Despite not filling his stats sheet, he was more active in defusing Boatwright Jr. from all angles, which is why San Miguel couldn’t take over.
Barocca might have been nursing his fouls from the sidelines, but it seemed his team still had him as Paul Lee began to pound SMB from the three-point territory.
Lee’s heroic acts in the 2nd period saved Magnolia from a San Miguel getaway, putting the team on top, 51-46, entering the 2nd half.
Lee’s waxing hot hand continued in the 3rd quarter while CJ Perez helped San Miguel counter “Lethal Weapon’s” offensive tenacity.
Not only was Lee impacting Magnolia, but Barocca, who just checked in after a quarter of rest due to foul trouble, also made it rain from the outside to ramp up their lead to double-figure.
Aside from Boatwright Jr., Jericho Cruz was also a missing link in this game. Cruz previously dropped 30 points but had difficulty scoring in tonight’s game.
Nothing was going right for San Miguel in the 3rd quarter—even the supposedly easy baskets, such as free throws, kept on rimming out.
In contrast, Magnolia’s goal seemed more expansive than usual, as almost every basket counted, even Bey’s treys.
At the end of the penultimate period, Magnolia still led San Miguel, 82-73.
San Miguel had a slight ray of hope of ending the series as Cruz started to connect from downtown in the final canto.
Little by little, the Beermen were inching closer to the Hotshots. At the 7th-minute mark, they trimmed the lead down to just 6 from as high as 13.
SMB’s defense also intensified in the 4th quarter, preventing Magnolia from pulling away.
Magnolia dodged a big bullet after San Miguel made it to just a 3-point deficit, and Lee immediately retaliated with a long triple.
Despite Lee’s three-pointer, Magnolia hit a couple more setbacks as Barocca got fouled out, and SMB trailed just by a half-shot.
A century-mark luck.
At the 1:27 mark of the ultimate period, Perez found the open Chris Ross at the corner right. Without hesitation, Ross fired a three for the 100-99 lead.
Ross’ triple was just the start of a handful of good things that happened to SMB late in the fourth: Magnolia committed a crucial turnover, and Perez sank a deep triple right after.
The Hotshots had a final chance to turn things around as Aris Dionisio launched a stone-cold three-pointer with 20 ticks left on the clock.
Cruz split his charities, but it was enough to seal the deal 104-102 and earned San Miguel’s 29th PBA title and first ever for Coach Jorge Gallent.
Isang tagay para sa #PBASeason48 Commissioner’s Cup Champs, San Miguel Beermen! #PBAAngatAngLaban
Posted by PBA on Wednesday, February 14, 2024
Perez, the Best Player of the Conference, was outstanding in the series and awarded the Finals MVP.
— Joey Boy Capos, The Summit Express
