Beermen dynasty lives on

Time to pop those beer cans.

MANILA, Philippines — In no mood for a finals sudden death, San Miguel Beer put its heart and soul into the closeout task against rival TNT, hammering out a 92-77 Game 6 romp to retain the PBA Philippine Cup crown last night.

With his mentor, PBA legend Ramon Fernandez, watching among the 14,201-strong crowd at the SM MOA Arena, June Mar Fajardo delivered a monster 29-point, 23-rebound outing to power SMB to the rousing triumph that stretched the franchise’s dominance in the all-local conference.

Repeating as PC kingpins, the Beermen annexed their 12th title in the league’s centerpiece tournament, eighth in the last 11 seasons, and 31st overall.

As if  written by the basketball gods, Fajardo won the PBA Press Corps Finals MVP Trophy, which now bears the name and image of Fernandez. He received the “Elegant Shot” trophy from Fernandez himself.

“Isang karangalan na makuha ng championship tapos finals MVP at si Don Ramon pa nag-abot ng award tapos sa kanya pa ito nakapangalan. For sure, nasa taas ito ng trophy case ko,” said Fajardo, who averaged 19.7 points, 18.3 rebounds, 1.7 assists and 1.78 blocks en route to a record-extending fifth Finals MVP plum.

“Kailangan manalo kailangang idiin. Nakita ko ‘yung teammates ko kung gaano sila kapursigo manalo. Kailangang ipakita na ganun din ako.”

With the crown within sight, Fajardo went to work early, banging in 10 points to anchor SMB to a 26-5 start.

Ever no-quitters, the Tropang 5G fought their way back into the game and even wresting a 68-66 lead late in the third.

But Fajardo and Co. regrouped.

Unleashing a 23-5 barrage bridging the last 1:38 of the penultimate quarter and the first nine minutes of the fourth, the Beermen broke away, 89-73.

This time, it was for good.