Arwind Santos of San Miguel soars for a lay up against Alaska’s Cyrus Baguio in Game 4 of the PBA. (INQUIRER)
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The San Miguel Beermen capped off what has been a resurgent season for the storied franchise by topping the 40th PBA Governors’ Cup via a 4-0 sweep over the Alaska Aces in the best-of-seven finals last night at the Smart-Araneta Coliseum.
The Beermen completed the sweep with a 91-81 Game 4 victory against the very same opponent they defeated for the Philippine Cup earlier this year.
The title was San Miguel’s 21st overall, fifth Governors’ Cup crown and second in three conferences this season.
Cebuano big man June Mar Fajardo, who was earlier named as the league’s MVP for the second year in a row (see story on page 25), was named Finals MVP after averaging 16 points, 17 rebounds and two blocks in the championship round.
He had a fine game in Game 4, finishing with 19 points, 21 rebounds, three steals and two blocked shots.
But it was import Arizona Reid who saved San Miguel last night as he sparked a huge comeback in the second half after the Beermen trailed by 10 at halftime.
He scored nearly half of the team’s 33-point performance in that stretch that San Miguel a 70-65 lead heading to the final frame.
Reid ended up with 33 points, six rebounds and four assists.
He was simply unstoppable during that crucial third quarter stretch as he single-handedly dragged the Beermen back into the game by sinking one three-pointer after another.
The Aces couldn’t recover from that run as Reid, a two-time Best Import winner who lost the individual plum this conference to Alaska’s Romeo Travis, finally bagged a PBA title.
“It took me four years but I finally got one,” said a jubilant Reid after the game. “It’s a great feeling.”
Sniper Marcio Lassiter had a complete game with 12 points, five boards and five dimes.
The Aces did not go quietly into the night as they led, 49-39, at halftime behind the incredible hustle of Calvin Abueva, Ping Exciminiano and Travis.
Abueva led the Aces with 22 points and 17 rebounds while Travis added 15.