THE numbers favored a San Miguel Beer side but in the end, the Barangay Ginebra San Miguel spirit prevailed in a Finals series that started like a farce and ended with the country’s most popular team in any sport hoisting the trophy.
It marked the first time after six successful runs that Leo Austria went home with no title in his pocket. In the midst of a raucous jubilation inside the Mall of Asia Arena on Wednesday night, Austria and the Beermen were all noticeably worn out.
No corporate ties could break the misfortunes for San Miguel Beer as Ginebra captured the Phililippine Basketball Association Commissioner’s Cup title via a 93-77 rout.
The loss stared early on for the Beermen and their fans and as the final buzzer sounded, the Beermen—even with big man June Mar Fajardo—are vulnerable.
Ginebra’s title conquest also derailed San Miguel beer’s grand-slam ambition for the second straight season.
The Beermen were on their way to a season sweep after dominating the Philippine Cup and Commissioner’s Cup. They were rock-solid, a foundation built around Fajardo and four of his supporting cast.
The came the Governors’ Cup and San Miguel looked formidable as expected.
But there was Ginebra, which had other plans in mind. The Gin Kings beat their sister-team in a one-game affair in the quarterfinals.
The objective was momentarily shattered, but the mission remained intact.
In the 43rd season, the Beermen quickly bounced back with a dominant show in the All-Filipino Cup. They looked serious in completing the rare grand slam.
But again, the improbable happened in the second conference.
Master tactician Tim Cone had his homework done to the letter and he had Justin Brownlee, the ever reliable reinforcement who bagged the Best Import plum.
Known as the Governors’ Cup specialists after winning the past two editions, the Gin Kings were playing one strong games after anothger even with the shortest import in the field.
Cone also had Scottie Thompson, who was named the Finals Most Valuable Player. The 6-foot guard played beyond his height and averaged 10.8 points, 7.7 rebounds and 5.2 assists in the series.
“I’m running out of superlatives to describe him [Thompson], his will to win, and his will to do whatever it takes. His energy is always there,” Cone said.
Indeed, no other man could be as happy as Cone. The most successful coach in PBA history just got his 21st championship ring.
“There are so many ‘who would have thought it’ moments in this conference, tonight, for one night, at least we are the best team,” Cone said.
But Cone kept his respect for the Beermen.
“Tomorrow they are the best team again,” he said
Barangay Ginebra actually started the conference flat with a 1-5 won-lost card. But the Kings won five straight to finish fifth in the eliminations—good enough to advance further in the conference.
The Gin Kings swept the Meralco Bolts in two games in the quarterfinals, and Rain or Shine Elasto Painter in four games in the semifinals.
San Miguel Beer also had a rough eliminations campaign with Renaldo Balkman serving as their saving grace.
“This is a wakeup call to us. We have to prepare hard because every team wants to beat San Miguel,” Austria said.