Champion Beermen give back to fans: ‘You’re our inspiration’

Chris Ross takes selfie with fans during the victory party at the Robinson’s Galleria. Photo by Mark Giongco/INQUIRER.net

The fans, San Miguel Beer’s sixth man who were one of the team’s driving forces behind its historic finals comeback, got up close and personal with their basketball heroes on Tuesday during a meet and greet at Robinsons Galleria Activity Area in Pasig City.

The fan event also served as the continuation of the Beermen’s championship celebration that started last Wednesday when they became the first team in the league to climb out of a 3-0 abyss and win of the 2016 PBA Philippine Cup crown after beating the Alaska Aces in Game 7 of the Finals before a crowd of nearly 24,000 at Mall of Asia Arena.

Facing a deficit that no team has ever conquered then, the Beermen knew they have to do the improbable and their fans, whose support was left unburied amid the avalanche of losses that had come their team’s way in the finals, believed the Beermen could pulloff a “beeracle” in the PBA’s grandest stage.

“I just wanna say thank you for supporting us. We couldn’t have done this without you guys,” said SMB point guard Chris Ross, who is still being showered with MVP chants nearly a week after being named Finals MVP, as he addressed the screaming crowd that filled the mall up to the fourth and last floor. “When we were down 0-3 you kept on believing.”

Marcio Lassiter signs T-shirt of fans. Photo by Mark Giongco/INQUIRER.net

“Isa kayo sa mga inspirasyon namin. Sana hindi kayo magsawa na sumuporta sa amin. Gagawin namin lahat para manalo,” said June Mar Fajardo, whose dramatic return from a knee injury in Game 5 gave his team an emotional boost.

As early as 12nn, fans came out and showed their support once more, many getting lucky enough to get selfies and autographs from their favorite players.

“Ito rin yung isa pa sa masayang part bukod sa manalo ng championship at makagawa ng history,” forward Arwind Santos, who shook off a poor start in the Finals series to play a vital role once more in his team’s championship run, told INQUIRER.net.

“Masaya kami kasi masayang masaya sila na makapagpa-picture lang sa amin at makakuha ng autograph. Sila yung mga hindi nagsasawang sumuporta sa amin and kailangan pangalagaan namin ang mga magagandang blessings na dumarating sa amin,” Santos said.