SMB wins historic fourth straight Philippine Cup

Back to back to back to back.

The San Miguel Beermen have won their fourth straight Philippine Cup after defeating the Magnolia Hotshots, 108-99, in double overtime in Game Five of their championship series on Friday at Mall of Asia Arena.

Four-time reigning PBA Most Valuable Player June Mar Fajardo finished with 42 points and 20 rebounds for the Beermen, who became the first team to win the Philippine Cup four straight times. San Miguel defeated Alaska in 2015 and 2016 and Barangay Ginebra last year in the all-Filipino tournament.

Despite the 4-1 series win, it wasn't the easiest path to the title for the Beermen who had to climb back from a 16-point deficit in the fourth quarter.

"They showed the heart of a champion," San Miguel coach Leo Austria said of his players, praising their late fightback.

Arwind Santos hit a key three-pointer to cap a 20-4 run and tie the game, 86-all, with 16.5 seconds remaining.

Marcio Lassiter stole the ball in the ensuing play, but his corner three-pointer at the buzzer bounced off the rim, resulting in overtime.

Rome dela Rosa's three-pointer gave Magnolia a 93-90 lead with less than two minutes remaining in the first overtime.

Lassiter responded with a layup, before Jio Jalalon split a pair of free throws in the Hotshots' next play. That allowed Fajardo, who won Finals MVP honors, to tie the game for San Miguel with 40 seconds left. The two teams failed to score the rest of the way, leading to five more minutes.

Fajardo finally gave San Miguel the lead with a basket to open the second overtime. Chris Ross followed up with a three-pointer, before another Fajardo basket. The early blitz proved to be insurmountable as San Miguel rolled the rest of the way. —JST, GMA News