IN VINES: Fajardo returns, San Miguel extends PBA Finals to Game 6

MANILA, Philippines – Defending champions San Miguel Beermen continue to defy expectations as they survived one more game, 86-73, to extend the 2016 PBA Philippine Cup best-of-7 finals against the Alaska Aces on Wednesday, January 27 at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.

Fueled by immense inspiration from a surprise comeback by their star player June Mar Fajardo, the league’s reigning back-to-back MVP and this conference’s Best Player, the Beermen live on to play Game 6 after being down 0-3 in the series.

The 6-foot-10 Fajardo played his first finals game after sitting out due to a knee injury he sustained in the semifinals. He was also present for Game 4, where he received his 3rd straight Best Player of the Conference award,  but cheered his teammates on from the sidelines in street clothes.

Fajardo checked in with 56.3 seconds left in the opening period and went on to play a total of 16 minutes and 28 seconds, producing 13 points on 4-of-5 field goals and 4 rebounds.

Much like the previous games of the series, Alaska and San Miguel mounted one counter-rally after another attempting to permanently take control of the match.

But in the second straight overtime of the PBA Finals, the Beermen emerged victorious anew, executing better than the favored Aces down the stretch.

See more highlights from the thrilling Game 5 through these Vines below.

– Rappler.com