THE San Miguel Beermen, who made a rare Philippine Cup three-peat Sunday night, March 5, after beating Barangay Ginebra Gin Kings, 91-85, in Game 5 of their best-of-seven championship series at the Smart Araneta Coliseum, will continue to dominate the league in the next 10 years with June Mar Fajardo.
Four-time Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) most valuable player (MVP) Ramon Fernandez, a commissioner of the Philippine Sports Commission (PSC), bared this to SunStar Davao in a Facebook chat interview Monday, March 6.
Fernandez, who is in Japan to visit Filipino-Japanese judokas, said: "I've forecasted upon June Mar's entry in SMB that they will be the most dominant team in the PBA in the next 10 years barring injury."
The legendary player also said that for as long as no player comes along to match up with him, the Beermen will keep their winning ways.
The Cebu-based commissioner, who made a colorful PBA career with SMB including a fourth MVP award and a historic grand slam, said Fajardo is destined for something greater.
"I wouldn't be surprised if he wins at least seven or eight or even more MVP honors," Fernandez said.
Fajardo, currently a three-time MVP, also recently clinched his fifth Best Player of the Conference (BPC) trophy, setting the tone for a fourth MVP title to match that of Fernandez and Alvin Patrimonio.
San Miguel center poured in 21 points along with Arwind Santos to lead scoring for the Beermen's Game 5 win. Finals MVP Chris Ross, for his part, made 12 baskets, grabbed eight rebounds and six steals and issued 10 assists.
Ross said "sacrifice" is the crucial key in their three-straight triumph.
Ross, during the awarding rites aired live via television, said, "You don't win three championships in a row without sacrifice. That's what this team is all about."
SMB head coach Leo Austria, meanwhile, cited the three-peat as the greatest highlight of his career, adding that the victory is "special".
Beermen assistant coach Dayong Mendoza said he's proud to be part of winning three straight All Filipino titles.
"It brings out the best in us Filipinos since there are no American imports. It is the most prestigious of all basketball victories in our country," Mendoza added.
Presidential Management Staff Secretary Christopher "Bong" Go, also Presidential Assistant of President Rodrigo Duterte, who witnessed Game 5, said the Beermen played superb in the series clearly overwhelming Ginebra.
"The Beermen simply prove their superiority when it comes to All-Filipino conference. SMB's five-game series win over Ginebra is probably one of the most dominant finals performance in the history of the franchise," Go said.