Beermen out to stretch finals, Aces take another crack at crown
The Smart Bro PBA Philippine Cup Finals is virtually a brand new series.
The San Miguel Beermen have got into the fight and are pumped up by the return of 6-foot-10 Cebuano behemoth June Mar Fajardo as they square off with the Alaska Milk Aces in Game Six at the Smart Araneta Coliseum Friday.
Halfway through what could be a record feat, the Beermen look to charge on and force a deciding Game Seven.
“If we’re able send it to a winner-take-all setto, it would already be anybody’s game,” said San Miguel coach Leo Austria.
With back-to-back overtime triumphs, the Beermen are two games away from a record title run from 0-3 down in a championship series. No team in the PBA or in the NBA and the Major League has done that feat.
While citing some discrepancy on fouls and free throws, Alaska coach Alex Compton acknowledged the great effort of the Beermen in the last two games.
“The first three games were tough, and the last two were tough. It’s good for the PBA. They’ve gotten a really good series,” said Compton.
The Aces, however, vow not to back down even with Fajardo back in the saddle for the Beermen.
“Since I came over, we’re 5-5 in the all-Filipino versus San Miguel with June Mar. It’s pretty even,” said Compton. “We lost twice in overtime. The realistic truth is it was a close game.”
But can the Aces contain the Beermen’s renewed hope and vigor?
“June Mar gives us hope,” said San Miguel guard Chris Ross.
“Nandyan na uli yung go-to-guy namin. So balik ang kumpiyansa ng team. Hindi na laglag ang tuka namin,” said forward Arwind Santos.
Fajardo made his much-awaited comeback Wednesday and an inspired San Miguel Beer team kept the fire of its fightback, pulling off another overtime triumph, 86-73, to extend the series to a Game Six.
Fajardo electrified the crowd just as he headed to the officials’ table towards the end of the first quarter.
The reigning back-to-back MVP went on to play a solid 16:29 minutes and his teammates took
the cue as San Miguel again lived to fight another game, closing in on Alaska at 2-3.
“June Mar (Fajardo) inspired just everybody, the crowd and his teammates. We didn’t want to play him but he insisted to be back. He wanted to be back whether we win or lose,” said Austria.
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