Alaska dethrones San Miguel for 13th crown
Broken-hearted the last time, Alaska showed tremendous poise as it dethroned San Miguel Beer to finally clinch its 13th title with a convincing 102-88 victory in Game 6 of the PBA Fiesta Cup Finals Wednesday night at the packed Araneta Coliseum.
Import Diamon Simpson finished with 28 points, 19 rebounds with three assists and five shot blocks, while guard Cyrus Baguio contributed 24 points and playmaker LA Tenorio had 12 markers, 11 assists and six boards for the Aces.
It was also the 13th championship for Alaska coach Tim Cone, who is now two wins shy of tying the legendary Baby Dalupan’s 15 PBA titles. Both coaches, however, have the same nine championships in an import-flavored conference.
The championship tied the Wilfred Uytengsu-owned franchise to Crispa for the second-best all-time behind San Miguel’s 18 titles.
“It’s really special,” said Cone, whose last championship with Alaska was in this same conference two seasons back when they beat Talk ‘N Text in seven games. “Considering those great teams, and those great coaches, it’s so sweet when you have the chance to win.”
“I’ve been to the other side of that, it feels good to be on this side. This is really sweet, really special,” added Cone, who is now on his 21st season in the PBA.
It was an unbelievable ride for Alaska, which went through tough times in the early rounds of the playoffs as it eliminated Barangay Ginebra in the do-or-die Game 5 of the quarterfinals, then knocked out top seed Talk ‘N Text in a sudden-death Game 7 of the semifinals.
Both Tenorio and Baguio, whom Alaska got in a trade with Ginebra last June for Willie Miller, were named co-Welcoat Paints PBA Finals MVP.
SMB, which won Game 5 (96-84) with Gee Abanilla calling the shots (also in Game 6), got 32 points and 18 boards from Gabe Freeman, the back-to-back Best Import winner. Arwind Santos had 16 and Mick Pennisi added 12.
The Aces took a 14-point lead, 41-27, when Cyrus Baguio buried a three-pointer and converted a lay-up with 7:03 left in the second period. The Beermen used a 14-4 run capped by Freeman’s three-point play to trim the lead to 41-45.
Alaska, however, answered with Joe Devance completing his own three-point play, while Simpson made a jumper and Borboran made two free throws while San Miguel only scored on Yeo’s triple for a 52-44 halftime advantage.
Meanwhile, two-time Most Valuable Player (MVP) James Yap is negotiating for a three-year extension with B-Meg Derby Ace as his previous deal will expire Sept. 30. He is set to leave for the US this week but will meet team management when he returns next month.
The 28-year-old Yap helped the franchise win its third championship in the previous Philippine Cup, while winning the Best Player of the Conference and the Finals MVP award.
He capped his season with the MVP trophy, his second after the 2005-06 season.
The scores:
ALASKA 102 – Simpson 28, Baguio 24, De Vance 14, Tenorio 12, Thoss 12, Borboran 6, Fonacier 6, Robinson 0, Hugnatan 0, Cariaso 0.
SAN MIGUEL 88 – Freeman 32, Santos 16, Pennisi 12, Cabagnot 7, Washington 5, Ildefonso 5, Miranda 4, Hontiveros 4, Yeo 3, Peña 0.
Quarters: 28-19, 52-44, 77-64, 102-88.
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