Beermen get moment with fans after another title conquest
Throughout the 2017 PBA Philippine Cup Finals, San Miguel Beer was outnumbered against fan favorite Barangay Ginebra.
Every game day was packed with predominantly Ginebra crowd, but San Miguel’s legion remained unwavered and on Wednesday, the diehard SMB fans were rewarded during a victory party that in a way served as a continuation of the franchise’s championship celebration three days ago.
READ: San Miguel wins 3rd straight Philippine Cup title
“We’re very thankful for our fans. And this is our way of giving back to them after their support,” said San Miguel forward Arwind Santos before the party began at Robinson’s Magnolia. “June Mar (Fajardo) went here straight from Cebu and it just shows how we appreciate our fans’ love. We’re not going to hesitate in making our fans happy.”
Marcio Lassiter does the “Salt Bae” again. Photo by Mark Giongco
“This is our fourth victory party and this is for our fans. They’re the ones who bring life to our league and we’re not going to be here right now if not for them,” said head coach Leo Austria.
Austria steered the Beermen to their fourth crown in the last seven conferences.
READ: SMB’s 3rd straight PH Cup title ‘all about sacrifice,’ says Finals MVP Ross
Santos, who wore a necklace that had three of his championship rings as pendants, serenaded the fans in an impromptu song number as he belted his own rendition of Basil Valdez’s “You.”
Arwind Santos serenading Beermen fans. Weather update: Still sunny pic.twitter.com/RqjpO3fDjQ
— Mark Giongco (@MarkGiongcoINQ) March 8, 2017
Chris Ross, who was named Finals MVP in the Beermen’s last two PH Cup conquests, was greeted with a birthday song by the fans.
“It’s amazing. They sang a birthday song for me and it’s a good feeling just to be out here and be with the fans who cheered for us the whole conference so it’s really amazing to be able to celebrate with them and make them part of my special day,” said Ross on the eve of his 32nd birthday.
READ: Lassiter brings out inner ‘Salt Bae’ anew after clinching title
The Beermen took selfies with the fans—most clad in San Miguel jerseys.
Swingman Marcio Lassiter, who is known for his deadly three-point shooting, also took the spotlight as he showed up wearing gold sunglasses with customized frames.
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