San Miguel one win away from PH Cup gold

Junmar Fajardo of SMB in between Sonny Thoss and Eric Menk of Alaska at the Smart Araneta Coliseum. AUGUST DELA CRUZ

MANILA, Philippines—Finally getting close to that elusive Philippine Cup gold, the San Miguel Beermen pulled stifled the Alaska Aces, 93-88, in Game 5 of their best-of-seven series Friday evening at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.

San Miguel’s MVP pairing of June Mar Fajardo and Arwind Santos were brilliant on both ends of the floor as the Beermen get a 3-2 series lead, one more game to notch their first Philippine Cup title since 2001.

Fajardo, the 2014 MVP, tallied 19 points, rebounds and five blocks, while Santos, the 2013 MVP, had 19 points, nine rebounds, four assists and five blocks.

Playing in a tight contest pretty much the whole time, the Beermen erected a seven-point lead, 86-79, as Fajardo hit a mid-range jumpshot with 3:50 remaining in the game to cap an 8-0 run.

Beermen head coach Leo Austria said his team finally got the ropes of Alaska’s defense, and the physicality of the Finals, and have adjusted to the atmosphere.

“My players are getting familiar with what’s happening,” Austria said. “They tried creating mismatches where Abueva would be left on a one-on-one and when (Chris) Exciminiano was put in as a starter, but we didn’t adjust our game plan. We adjusted to the game.”

Neither team could pull away as Alaska immediately close the five-point gap, 76-71,that San Miguel built at the start of the fourth when they took the lead, 79-78, after Calvin Abueva converted on a three-point play opportunity.

Alaska’s one-point bubble though was easily popped as San Miguel took control.

As the championship looms, Austria said that this is the opportunity that they are given and that they better grab it.

“We were given an opportunity. We are here to win the championship and why not,” Austria said. “This is a very beautiful gift for the team because it’s been so long since we’ve won.”

San Miguel capitalized on Alaska’s fouls as they went to the line 40 times and hitting 29, which was three more than Alaska’s trip.

Ironically, San Miguel was beaten in the rebounding battle as they only grabbed 40 misses as compared to Alaska’s tally of 54.

Abueva led Alaska with 24 points and 12 boards but exited the game early as he also accumulated six fouls.

Cyrus Baguio added 19 for Alaska while Dondon Hontiveros notched his 1,001st three-pointer to become the fifth player in PBA history to reach such a mark.

The scores:

SAN MIGUEL93 – Santos 19, Fajardo 19, Lassiter 16, Kramer 9, Semerad 9, Tubid 8, Cabagnot 7, Lutz 4, Ross 2, Omolon 0, Pascual 0.

ALASKA88 – Abueva 24, Baguio 19, Manuel 13, Thoss 11, Hontiveros 9, Jazul 9, Menk 2, Eman 1, Banchero 0, Casio 0, Dela Cruz 0, Exciminiano 0, Dela Rosa 0.

Quarterscores: 21-23, 41-41, 71-71, 93-88

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