FIVE-PEAT: San Miguel extends dynasty in Philippine Cup, nips Magnolia in Game 7

Dynasty extended.

San Miguel continued its domination of the PBA Philippine Cup after a nailbiting 72-71 win over Magnolia last May 15 at the Smart-Araneta Coliseum.

Alex Cabagnot scored a fadeaway with 57.2 seconds left in the game to give the Beermen the marginal basket. The Beermen were able to protect that lead thanks to some timely rebounds by June Mar Fajardo and tough defense on the part of the team.

Magnolia was forced to take tough shots in the end game, with Jio Jalalon missing two looks at the basket in the Hotshots’ final possessions. Fajardo cleaned those misses with crucial rebounds on his way to 31 rebounds, the most number of boards by a local in the history of the PBA.

Fajardo broke the previous record of 29 set by Marcelo Simbulan of 7-Up Uncolas in the first year of the PBA in 1975.

San Miguel fought back from a 17-point deficit in the Game 7 victory.

“Sa mga players, maraming, maraming salamat sa inyo,” said a jubilant San Miguel coach Leo Austria. “Nag-mukha akong magaling na coach dahil sa inyo.”

Cabagnot finished the game with 18 points, 3 rebounds, 3 assists and 2 steals, and Fajardo had 17 points to go along with his record-breaking 31 rebounds and 2 blocks. Arwind Santos had 17 points and 11 rebounds for San Miguel.

It was also a memorable night for Terrence Romeo, the much-maligned guard of San Miguel who finally captured a PBA crown in his career following tumultuous stint with GlobalPort and TNT. Romeo was traded during the offseason to San Miguel.

The Scores:

SAN MIGUEL 72 – Cabagnot 18, Fajardo 17, Santos 17, Ross 7, Lassiter 5, Romeo 4, Standhardinger 4, Pessumal 0, Ganuelas-Rosser 0.

MAGNOLIA 71 – Sangalang 18, Lee 11, Reavis 11, Jalalon 8, Barroca 7, Ramos 6, Melton 5, Dela Rosa 3, Brondial 2, Herndon 0.

Quarterscores: 20-24, 25-38, 50-58, 72-71.

PHOTO: PBA Images