Beermen wins 24th PBA title after 12-year drought

(Photo Courtesy: INQUIRER.net)

San Miguel Beermen snatched their second straight championship this season, demolishing TNT KaTropa, 115-91, in Game 6 of the 2017 PBA Commissioner's Cup at the Big Dome last July 2.

This championship was San Miguel's first title in the tournament since 2000. The Beermen was also a candidate for a Grand Slam after capturing the Philippine Cup last March. The win was the Beermen’s 24th PBA title making them the winningest team in the league’s history.

The KaTropa gave the Beermen a tough time on the 1st quarter with 26-37, but the momentum shifted in the Beermen on the next quarter when they piled up points to finish the second half with a 20-point advantage, 42-62. The momentum of the Beermen continued until the 3rd and 4th quarter with the score 69-94 and 91-115 respectively.

Beermen’s import Charles Rodes led his team to victory with 30 points and 11 rebounds while Marcio Lassiter added 24 points and Arwin “Spiderman” Santos contributed 17 points.

On the other side, Troy Rosario helped the KaTropa with 21 points and the rookie RR Pogoy chipped in 16. KaTropa’s import Joshua Smith added 15 points while Jayson “The Blur” Castro scored 13.

Finals MVP Alex Cabagnot was the first local player to have a triple-double in the Finals in 12 years scoring 19 points, 12 rebounds, and 11 assists.

San Miguel Beermen head coach Leo Austria said: "I would like to congratulate coach Nash Racela and the entire TNT organization for bringing out the best in us."

"Both of us deserved to win the championship but we're really fortunate because my players really wanted to win. This is the cup that we didn't win in the last 17 years and they have something in their minds that's why this game is really fantastic for them," he added.