San Miguel opens quest for PBA title No. 30

SCHEDULE: PBA Finals San Miguel vs Meralco

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With 29 crowns overall, San Miguel has a veritable chokehold of the Philippine Basketball Association’s championship tally that will last for years, with the Beermen’s closest pursuer only having 15 and won’t be around for a shot at the next one.

So count on this edition of the Beermen to make the most out of the chance to widen the gap, especially when they are only four more wins away from delivering the franchise’s landmark 30th trophy while defending their Philippine Cup reign.

“Just reaching the championship is already a blessing in itself,” reigning MVP June Mar Fajardo, who is also on pace to win the Best Player of the Conference award, said in Filipino.

“We’re just going to enjoy (the series). But at the same time, compete. We know it won’t be easy against Meralco, but we’re truly preparing for them. It’s going to be exciting this Wednesday.”

The best-of-seven finale tips off 7:30 p.m. at Smart Araneta Coliseum with Chris Ross and Marcio Lassiter eager to get personal quests going.

Along with the dominant Fajardo, the pair will be shooting for an 11th crown that will put them alongside Magnolia’s Rafi Reavis and the late Cris Bolado.

“When the pandemic hit, we kind of hit a rough patch. And then we made some adjustments. Now, we’re getting back on a roll,” said Ross, referring to a rocky phase at the height of the pandemic that saw San Miguel suffering early playoff exits.

“Same as what Chris said, I’m just blessed and thankful for the opportunity to still be here,” said Lassiter. “But we know what we’re playing against.”

Meralco, coached by Luigi Trillo and former national coach Nenad Vučinić, will be challenging the mighty Beermen for the crown for the first time ever. And the Bolts, while labeled as terrible underdogs, have proven time and time again in this tournament that they are a capable lot.

Late brilliance

From nearly sliding to a playoff for the No. 8 seed, Meralco got it together halfway through the elimination phase and then handed San Miguel its first loss of the tournament in a thrilling clash in Batangas last May 4.

Starring Chris Newsome, Cliff Hodge, a resurgent Chris Banchero and a promising rookie in Brandon Bates, the Bolts also overcame their perennial tormentors, Barangay Ginebra, with a cutthroat Game 7 victory just last weekend.

And that is a good enough reason for San Miguel’s battle-tested trio to keep its guard up.

“They bring a lot of defense and we understand what we have to do,” Lassiter said of the Bolts. “We just have to gut it out in these Finals. It’s gonna be a new one for us, but at the same time, we know what’s at stake and we’re gonna be ready when Game 1 starts.”

“We know that in the Finals, the level of competition rises. But we’re always reminded by coach Jorge (Gallent) that we just keep playing San Miguel basketball, keep on our teamwork and continue executing our game plan,” said Fajardo.

Ross knows that glory awaits him and his crew on the other side of the duel, and swears that the Beermen are up for the challenge.

“This will be our first time competing (in a title series) against Meralco. We know what kind of team they are, we know they’re going to play hard and compete for 48 minutes a night,” Ross said. INQ