Red Bull stuns SMB in opener

Just when everybody thought Red Bull would crack up in a heart-stopping endgame, the Thunder hung tough and defied the odds for an 80-78 victory over San Miguel Beer in Game One of their best-of-seven title series in the PBA Commissioner’s Cup before a throng of more than 12,000 fans last night at the Araneta Coliseum.

The Thunder lived and died and lived again on charities in the last two minutes of the contest then went on to steal the victory with a tough defense against the Beermen.

Import Tony Lang fired seven of Red Bull’s last eight points and Davonn Harp, who did a splendid defensive job against SMB ace Danny Ildefonso, sealed the Thunder‘s triumph with a crucial offensive rebound and a charity in the last 3.5 seconds, 80-78.

The Beermen sued for time and worked out one offensive thrust for either a game-winner or an equalizer but Danny Seigle fumbled on a baseline drive which was partially blocked by Lang.

It was a stirring victory for the Thunder and a smashing debut in the championship series for the sophomore ballclub which came into the game lacking in title playoff experience against a master champion.

But Red Bull didn't only overcome the odds but proved steadier in the clutch.

Earlier, Alaska Milk, the league’s most dominant team in the ’90s which missed by a single game what could have been a first finals stint in four conferences, settled for the next best thing as it repulsed Purefoods, 96-89, to gain second runner-up honors .

The Aces took control most of the way but had to fend off a fourth-quarter chase by the Hotdogs to complete the win that gave the team its 10th third-place trophy. The Uytengsu franchise became the only second ballclub to have won at least 10 second runner-up honors after San Miguel Beer which has 11 in its treasure chest.

"For a team like San Miguel, this won’t be an accomplishment. But this is already a big accomplishment for my team. We stepped forward from the All-Filipino and we’re hoping to step forward again in the third conference," said Alaska coach Tim Cone.