MAGNOLIA forward Aris Dionisio threw a Hail Mary–a last-gasp heave from near half court that was not answered on Valentine’s Day last night.
When it mattered most, it was San Miguel Beer who showed up with the biggest of hearts in Game 6 that seemed to be in the bag for the Hotshots and the gritty Beermen were aptly rewarded with the coveted prize in the season-opening tilt.
Proving it wanted it more, SMB eked out a dramatic 104-102 victory over a shellshocked Magnolia side to rule the PBA Commissioner’s Cup before a stunned crowd at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
Beermen star CJ Perez muffed two free throws with 9.6 seconds to go but Jericho Cruz hustled for the loose ball off a rebound scramble and was fouled by Hotshot Ian Sangalang.
Cruz canned one of his freebies that sealed the come-from-behind triumph for SMB after Dionisio missed on a desperation attempt that sent the Beermen faithful in frenzy.
Dionisio fell hard on his knees in agony that typified the pain Magnolia felt after it failed anew on its bid to win it all for the first time since the Governors’ Cup in 2018.
The do-it-all Perez capped his brilliance in the Big Dance with 28 points for SMB, while reigning seven-time MVP June Mar Fajardo chipped in 19 markers and 12 rebounds. Perez was later named finals MVP.
Import Bennie Boatwright also added 19 points, 13 boards, and eight assists for the Beermen, who also drew 12 and 10 markers, respectively from Cruz and Don Trollano.
SMB’s epic win came on the heels of its 108-98 tripping of the Hotshots in the fifth game last Sunday and wrapped up the title battle 4-2.
The Beermen also annexed their 29th title overall and first in the same edition of the import-spiced tourney since 2019.
After taking a 51-46 lead at the half, Magnolia built what appeared to be a commanding 77-64 spread on a Paul Lee layup at the 3:10 mark of the third canto.
The Hotshots went into the final stanza with an 82-73 edge and still held a 90-79 advantage in the last minutes.
But the likes of Perez, Cruz, and Chris Ross connived in a furious fourth quarter fightback.
Ross boomed in a clutch corner triple that gave SMB a 100-99 cushion before a Perez trey pegged a 103-99 count, only 48.7 ticks left.
Lee paced Magnolia with 25 points and three caroms, while reinforcement Tyler Bey had 18 and eight.
Sangalang, Jio Jalalon, and Mark Barroca also got 16, 12, and 11 points, respectively for the Hotshots.
