Save the last laugh for the Beermen

Come to think of it, the San Miguel Beermen should have been vanquished by the TNT Katropa in five games. Somehow, they found a way to lift the 2019 PBA Commissioner’s Cup title in six.

Their Grand Slam hopes wouldn’t be alive if not for the four missed free throws by TNT at the tail end of Game Two or their comeback from 16 points down in the pivotal fifth game. But none of these would be possible if they did not squeak into the quarterfinals.

Call it championship hangover or competition upgrade but Coach Leo Austria’s troops nearly missed the postseason. They languished with a 2-5 record with four games left in the elimination round. At that point, the management has decided to replace fan-favorite Charles Rhodes for NBA first round draft pick Chris McCullough.

It’s a move riddled with uncertainty because it will be the first PBA stint for the former Brooklyn Net and Washington Wizard. But his 47-point explosion in his debut against the NLEX Road Warriors seemed to be a good omen. San Miguel won two of their next three games to snatch the seventh seed via quotient.

But they’re still hanging onto their tournament lives due to their twice-to-beat disadvantage versus the Northport Batang Pier. While they took an easy win in the first game, they were a three-point basket away from being sent home. The Beermen shadowed rookie Robert Bolick to force a miss and extend their conference.

Smoother sailing prevailed in their four-game semifinal series against Rain or Shine. McCullough tried to complete the sweep with his 51 points but the Elastopainters survived. They guaranteed another championship berth by eking a three-point victory.

Then there’s the Finals series against Talk N Text. More experts preferred the Katropa to win especially with Best Import Terrence Jones in the fold. But San Miguel wore its opponents physically and mentally. It looked as if little is left in TNT’s tank in the sixth match. Champions as they are, the Beermen did not let the opportunity to clinch their 27^th title in franchise history away.

Former Houston Rockets head coach Rudy Tomjanovich declared, “Don’t every underestimate the heart of a champion”. Despite the adversities they faced throughout the tournament, doubt has not crept into the minds of the San Miguel Beermen. They manifested their glory when it mattered most and are now in the cusp of repeating a feat that franchise achieved 30 years ago.

If we see them struggling in the Governor’s Cup with first-time PBA import Dez Wells, fans can jeer or tease them in the time being. But that joy will turn into sorrow once the Beermen intoxicates their opponents by shifting into a higher gear. That will be a tall order for the 11 teams that will prevent San Miguel having the last laugh.