Championship history

By Jesus A. Garcia Jr.

 

THE seventh and final game of this year’s Smart Bro Philippine Cup championship match played last Wednesday between defending champion San Miguel Beer against Alaska was one for the books. The Beermen after coming from a 0-3 deficit miraculously won four times consecutively and eventually emerged as the champions anew over their mortal rival Alaska Aces by seven points, 96-89. We saw it how the Beermen’s perseverance and hard work of coach Leo Austria’s boys paid off handsomely that after losing the first three of seven games, recovered, outplayed and outhustled the surging Aces of coach Alex Compton.

San Miguel’s victory registered a PBA championship history being the only team to come from three deficits to win the championship match. We should doff off our hat to Austria, and of course his boys, for not only winning the clash but for being the first mentor of the 41 year-old professional league to go 4-0 after a 0-3 start to break the jinx. Not one, not even in NBA according to the pundits came close to what the Beermen accomplished. It was also the first time in this pro league that the series was tied at 3-3 after a 3-0 lead by Alaska.

I still recall that in 1987 Commissioner’s Cup finals, Alaska won back-to-back games after losing the first three against Robert Jaworski’s led Ginebra’s Gordon Gin but, unfortunately, was unable to sustain its run in the sixth game and Alaska lost the title.
The 13

The 13^th-time champion Alaska was clearly out to wrest the crown from the Beermen in all the seven clashes but the more determined Beermen suddenly regained their self-confidence and poise, their old flame and magic especially in game four that resulted in the Beermen’s overtime victory after a low-scoring 67-67, all. The return to action of six-foot-ten center June Mar Fajardo had something to do with the Beermen’s restored confidence that finally led them all the way to the title. Yes, the reigning league back-to-back MVP Fajardo hurt his left knee and did not finish the sixth game of SMB’s semis battle against Rain or Shine weeks ago which SMB won. The knee was swollen and had to rest for weeks and obviously Fajardo was not yet at 100 percent during his return to the hard court in the last three games but still managed to help his squad through blocks, rebounds and scoring in double-digit figures, though with a lesser output. San Miguel avid fans dubbed the SMB come-from-behind victory as “Beeracle,” a coined word to describe the Beermen’s “miracle.” But miracle or not, there’s a saying that says “There’s always a first time in life,” and this happened to the Beermen. Yes, what the Beermen accomplished last February 3 was one of a kind in professional caging. It could be equaled in the long run but I’m sure what the Beermen achieved last Wednesday will never leave basketball fans’ memory and will never-ever be surpassed in a best-of-seven championship series. Austria said that it’s not the bonus that they expected to receive from the company’s management that is hefty , but it’s the title and the record that counted a lot.

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QUOTE OF THE WEEK: Do not destroy the work of God for the sake of food. All things indeed are pure, but it is evil for the man who eats with offense. ROMANS 14: 20

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