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Monday, July 11, 2005
SMB bags 17th title
By Jade S. Violeta
Sun.Star Staff Reporter
THE San Miguel Beermen annexed their 17th title in franchise history and the sixth for coach Jong Uichico as they scored a huge come-from-behind victory yesterday, 91-87, over the Talk ‘N Text Phone Pals in Game 5 of their Gran Matador PBA Fiesta Cup finals series at the Cuneta Astrodome.
The Beermen, whose last title came in the 2000 All-Filipino Cup when they bested sister team Ginebra, rebounded big in the fourth quarter as they unleashed the title-clinching run at the opening of the period to blast the Phone Pals out of the series.
“No matter how many championship titles you win, every championship will always be very special. Its always very emotional,” said coach Uichico after the game.
The Beermen mentor credited import Ace Custis coming into the team at the perfect moment, saying Custis’ coming into the Beermen’s midst is destiny.
Crucial trey
And indeed Custis, who knocked in a trey in the Beermen’s momentum-turning rally in the final period, was destined to lead the Beermen to the championship title as he played consistently throughout the series since replacing Chris Burgess.
Custis finished with 22 points to lead the Beermen but it was the locals who inflicted the most damage, particularly the resurgent Danny Seigle, who scored his biggest production in the series with 15 markers since returning from injury.
Dorian Peña was likewise a big factor as he banged in 15 markers and 11 boards, while Cebuano Dondon Hontiveros had 15 points, and Danny Ildefonso 12.
The Phone Pals, whose quest for a second franchise title came to a sad end yesterday, controlled the Beermen most of the game as they ended the opening phase ahead, 25-21.
Talk ‘N Text kept the lead at halftime, 42-40, before stretching it to five points, 66-61, at the end of the third period with Felix Belano burying a buzzer-beating trey.
The key turnaround happened at the start of the fourth canto as the Beermen unleashed an 11-0 run to take a 72-66 edge.
Talk ‘N Text has lost in the finals for the second straight conference.
San Miguel (91) – Custis 22, Hontiveros 15, Seigle 15, Pena 15, Ildefonso 12, Racela 8, Adriano 4, Villoria 0, Belasco 0. Talk ‘N Text (87) – Honeycutt 22, Pablo 10, Belano 10, Taulava 9, Alapag 9, Telan 8, Miller 7, Carey 6, Ravena 4, Fran 2, Gelig 0, Camaso 0. Quarterscores: 21-25; 40-42; 61-66; 91-87
(July 11, 2005 issue)
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