MANILA, Philippines (2ND UPDATE) – Just like how the basketball gods drew it.

The San Miguel Beermen overcame a 23-point deficit and dispatched the Magnolia Hotshots in double-overtime in Game 5, 108-99, to bag the 2018 Philippine Cup title at the Mall of Asia Arena Friday, April 6. 

San Miguel cemented its place among the PBA’s greatest by becoming the only team in PBA history to hoist the All-Filipino trophy for 4 straight years. 

The Crispa Redmanizers also nabbed 4 straight All-Filipino titles but achieved the feat in 6 years from 1979 to 1984, with the 1981 and 1982 seasons having Reinforced Filipino conferences. 

June Mar Fajardo frolicked in the paint with a conference-best 42 points on top of 20 rebounds to anchor the Beermen, who trailed 48-71 midway through the 3rd quarter. 

Fajardo, who was named Finals Most Valuable Player, scored 6 points in the second extra period as San Miguel smashed a 94-all deadlock to a 103-97 lead. 

An Aldrech Ramos fadeaway jumper kept the Hotshots afloat, 99-103, before Alex Cabagnot provided the nail to the coffin for San Miguel as he stole the ball from Rafi Reavis and sank a layup with 51 seconds left, 105-99. 

Chris Ross made only 3 of his 15 attempts from the field but made up for his shooting woes by registering a near-quadruple-double of 13 points, 11 rebounds, 11 assists and 8 steals in the win. 

“I’m overwhelmed with what happened in this 5th game dahil we thought na we will extend the series to Game 6. But the players didn’t give up eh. And when we catch up, the team realized na it is possible,” said San Miguel head coach Leo Austria.

(I’m overwhelmed with what happened in this 5th game because we thought that the series will be extended to a Game 6. But the players didn’t give up. And when we caught up, the team realized that it was possible.)

The win gave the Beermen their 6th championship in the last 10 conferences and their 25th chip in franchise history. 

Come-from-behind win

It looked like all hope was lost for the Beermen as they trailed 66-82 midway through the payoff period until they rode on a 13-0 salvo to make a 3-point game, 79-82. 

With the ball possession and a 3-point lead on their side, the Hotshots were primed to extend the best-of-7 series but Paul Lee turned the ball over, setting up for Arwind Santos burying the game-tying triple with 16.5 seconds remaining.

Magnolia had a chance to win it in regulation until Marcio Lassiter stole the ball and almost drained the potential game-winning corner triple.

The game was sent to a second overtime after Fajardo blocked Ramos’ last-second baseline jumper. 

Santos finished with 23 points, 11 rebounds and 4 blocks while Lassiter fired 16 points.

Paul Lee paced the Hotshots with 21 points and 11 rebounds while Rome Dela Rosa added 19 points and 11 boards in the loss. 

The PBA returns to action on April 22 as the Commissioner’s Cup kicks off. 

The Scores:

San Miguel (108): Fajardo 42, Santos 23, Lassiter 16, Ross 13, Cabagnot 7, Heruela 3, Rosser 2, Espinas 2.

Magnolia (99): Lee 21, Dela Rosa 19, Reavis 13, Barroca 12, Sangalang 11, Ramos 8, Gamalinda 6, Jalalon 5, Pascual 2, Brondial 2

Quarter scores: 19-21, 37-53, 60-74, 86-86, 94-94, 108-99 

Here is the partial schedule for the 2018 Commissioner’s Cup:

– Rappler.com