San Miguel Beer wraps up semis series vs Talk ‘N Text to make PBA PH Cup Finals
Game today
Mall of Asia Arena
5 p.m. – Alaska vs. Rain or Shine
Relying on the the imposing presence of Cebuano center June Mar Fajardo, the San Miguel Beermen brought out the broom and complete a clean sweep, trashing the Talk ‘N Text Tropang Texters, 100-87, to advance to the championship round of the 40th PBA Philippine Cup at the Mall of Asia Arena, last night.
Fajardo scored a game-high 28 points, plucked down 16 rebounds while shooting a high 12-for-17 from the field.
Alex Cabagnot added 16 points, Chris Lutz nailed 15, Arwind Santos chipped in 13 and Ronald Tubid also scored in twin digits with 11 as the Beermen finished off the Tropang Texters in just four games, a sweep that wasn’t expected by many.
San Miguel, thus, sealed its 34th finals appearance, the most made by any team in league history.
Coach Leo Austria also booked his first finals appearance as a PBA coach.
“I [give] credit to the players. They worked hard in this series. We just defined every role of the players and that helped develop the team’s chemistry,” said Austria, who will try to give the Beermen their first All-Filipino crown since 2001. San Miguel’s last finals appearance in an All-Filipino conference was in the 2010-2011 season.
In the best-of-seven finals, the Beermen will play the winner in the other semifinal series between the Alaska Aces and the Rain or Shine Elasto Painters.
That series stands at 2-2 with the cricitical Game 5 taking place today.
By scoring the impressive sweep, the Beermen will enjoy a long break as today’s game between Alaska and Rain or Shine will be the league’s last match for the year.
Game 6 of the Alaska-Rain or Shine semifinal tussle is scheduled on Jan. 4 yet.
Jimmy Alapag led the Tropang Texters with 17 points.
Lassiter beat the third quarter buzzer with a three-pointer and San Miguel brought a 73-57 lead into the final period.
A 9-2 run to open the fourth shoved Talk ‘N Text within 66-75 but San Miguel responded with a 13-6 run to build another 16-point cushion, 88-72, with 4:05 left.
BOX SCORES:
SAN MIGUEL (100)– Fajardo 28, Cabagnot 16, Lutz 15, Santos 13, Tubid 11, Lassiter 7, Ross 6, Maierhofer 2, Omolon 2, Kramer 0, Pascual 0, Fortuna 0, Semerad 0, Chua 0.
TALK N’ TEXT (87)– Alapag 17, Fonacier 12, Seigle 12, Rosser 11, De Ocampo 11, Castro 6, Reyes R. 5, Williams 5, Washington 4, Alas 4, Carey 0, Reyes R. J. 0, Espiritu 0, Aban 0.QUARTERSCORES: 24-20, 49-38, 73-57, 100-87.
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