Beermen rally to dispose Hotshots, win 29th PBA crown

MANILA, Philippines -- Banner No. 29 has been raised.

The San Miguel Beermen completed a massive come-from-behind win to nip the gritty Magnolia Hotshots, 104-102, Wednesday night to win the PBA Commissioner's Cup.

After trailing by almost the whole game --  and by double digits in the fourth quarter -- San Miguel mounted a comeback and cut the lead to one, 98-97, with less than two minutes remaining with a trey by Jericho Cruz.

After a split from the line by Tyler Bey, the Beermen took the lead with a 3-pointer by Chris Ross with 1:27 remaining, 100-99.

After a steal by June Mar Fajardo in the next possession, CJ Perez danced against his defender and hit a booming 3-pointer for the dagger, 103-99.

On the other end, Aris Dionisio made a trey from straight away to cut the lead to one with 25 seconds left.

The game then turned into a free throw game.

Perez missed both free throws with nine seconds remaining.

However, Cruz hauled down perhaps the biggest offensive rebound of his career.

After missing the first free throw, Cruz made the second.

A last-second heave by Dionisio missed, sealing the championship for San Miguel.

Perez, who was named the Finals MVP, led the Beermen in Game 6 with a playoff career-high 28 points on nine-of-15 field goal shooting.

Bennie Boatwright and Fajardo had 19 markers apiece.

Paul Lee spearheaded Magnolia with 25 points off the bench.

After being down by as much as 13 points, 77-64, in the third quarter, San Miguel outscored the Hotshots 31-20 in the final canto.

Magnolia led by 11, 90-79, with a layup by Rome dela Rosa with 7:42 remaining. 

A midrange jumper by Ian Sangalang gave the Hotshots a 95-86 advantage with less than five minutes remaining. 

The Beermen, then, erupted with a 14-5 run to take the lead with the Ross trey, setting up the final minute of play.