For the first time in franchise history, the Meralco Bolts are PBA champions, beating the San Miguel Beermen to win the Philippine Cup title.
Meralco set the tone early before disposing of San Miguel in Game 6, 80-78, to emerge as PBA Season 48 Philippine Cup champion on Sunday, June 16.
Chris Newsome drilled the go-ahead jumper with 1.3 seconds left, answering a miracle three by June Mar Fajardo in the previous play that tied the game at 78.
Newsome was later named Finals Most Valuable Player.
[ALSO READ: PBA: Chris Newsome earns Finals MVP honors after leading Meralco to breakthrough title]
Chris Newsome has been the Meralco Bolts' go-to-guy, and for good reason. | Photo (c) RM Chua
San Miguel had the chance to snatch the win and extend the series.
Beermen coach Jorge Gallent drew up a play for Marcio Lassiter but Fajardo ended up receiving the ball anew and heaving another one from long range. It didn't go in this time.
With the victory at the Big Dome, the Bolts scored their first championship since joining the league in the 2010-11 season.
Newsome finished with an all-around showing of 15 points, five rebounds, four assists, two steals and a block as he once again displayed poise in the most crucial moments.
The former Ateneo star, however, got plenty of reinforcements on the offensive end.
Allein Maliksi sustained his fiery form and turned in 14 points, while Bong Quinto and Chris Banchero chipped in 11 and 10 points, respectively. Cliff Hodge turned in a double-double of nine points and 10 rebounds.
Chris Newsome celebrates Meralco's amazing feat. | Photo (c) RM Chua
"Surreal for us. Just proud of these guys who battled through it," said Meralco coach Luigi Trillo, who won his second title as head coach.
"It was one of those series when it's very close every game. It came down to the wire again. We credit our guys. They found a way. They showed composure in that second half for us."
Indeed, the Bolts were unruffled as the Beermen fought back from a second quarter 17-point deficit and turned it into a tight contest towards the end.
Down by just 75-78 with 26 ticks to go, San Miguel showed its championship mettle behind its most decorated player June Mar Fajardo who knotted the count on a triple 23 seconds later.
The seven-time Most Valuable Player and recently crowned 10-time Best Player of the Conference got the ball on the left elbow off a loose ball, turned around and launched the trey that sent the Beermen gallery into a frenzy.
But Meralco was quick to douse any hopes of a San Miguel celebration as Newsome once again displayed steely resolve at endgame to nail the clincher after receiving the ball from Chris Banchero on an inbound play.
Fajardo paced San Miguel with 21 points, 12 rebounds, five assists, and a block in his third loss in the finals stage of what has been an illustrious career.
Perez chipped in 14 points, nine rebounds, four assists and a steal, while Marcio Lassiter and Mo Tautuaa added 11 and 10 markers, respectively.
June Mar Fajardo and the rest of the San Miguel Beermen are unable to hike their trophy count.
The Scores:
MERALCO 80 – Newsome 15, Maliksi 14, Quinto 11, Bancheor 10, Almazan 9, Caram 6, Torres 6, Hodge 6, Bates 3, Rios 0
SAN MIGUEL 78 – Fajardo 21, Perez 14, Lassiter 11, Tautuaa 10, Romeo 9, Trollano 7, Ross 1, Enciso 0, Teng 0, Cruz 0, Brondial 0
Quarterscores: 29-18, 47-40, 63-58, 80-78