By ADRIAN STEWART CO

The San Miguel Beermen (SMB) clawed back from a double-digit deficit to beat the Magnolia Chicken Timplados Hotshots in Game 6, 104-102, to capture the 2023-2024 PBA Commissioner’s Cup crown at the Smart Araneta Coliseum on Wednesday night, February 14.

Down 90-79 with seven minutes left, the Beermen got a three-pointer from Jaymar Perez and a two-pointer from Bennie Boatwright, Jr. to cut the deficit to 84-90, but baskets from Rome dela Rosa and Ian Sangalang increased the Hotshots’ lead to 95-86.

The Beermen went on a run behind Perez and Ilonggo Jericho Cruz to cut the deficit to 92-95 with 2:52 remaining, but Paul Lee responded with a three-pointer to widen the Hotshots’ lead to 98-92.

A two-pointer by Perez and consecutive three-pointers from Cruz and Chris Ross gave the Beermen the lead at 100-99, before they widened it to 103-99 with a Perez three-point connection.

The Hotshots made their last push at 102-103 on a three-pointer by Aris Dionisio.

The Beermen increased the lead to 104-102 on a split free throw by Cruz before Dionisio missed on his three-point attempt at the buzzer.

Perez finished with 28 points, including three three-point conversions, to go with two assists, two steals and one rebound, while Boatwright had a near triple-double of 19 points, 13 rebounds and eight assists for the Beermen.

June Mar Fajardo also finished with a double-double of 19 points and 12 rebounds, while Cruz and Celedonio Trollano contributed 12 and 10 points, respectively, for the Beermen.

“We just stayed composed kahit nung down kami ng double-digits,” Perez, who was named as the PBA Finals Most Valuable Player, said.

“We are very thankful to win this championship,” he added.

The Beermen finished the best-of-three championship series at 4-2 to clinch their 29th PBA championship overall, 19th in the import-laden conference and fifth in the Commissioner’s Cup.

Paul Lee led the way for the Hotshots with 25 points, including four three-point conversions, Tyler Bey added 18 markers, while Ian Sangalang, Jiovani Jalalon and Andy Mark Barroca ended with 16, 12 and 11, respectively./ASC, WDJ

SAN MIGUEL 104 — Perez 28, Fajardo 19, Boatwright 19, Cruz 12, Trollano 10, Ross 9, Tautuaa 4, Enciso 2, Teng 1, Lassiter 0, Brondial 0.

MAGNOLIA 102 — Lee 25, Bey 18, Sangalang 16, Jalalon 12, Barroca 11, Dela Rosa 9, Dionisio 7, Abueva 4, Tratter 0, Escoto 0.

Quarterscores: 22-26, 46-51, 73-82, 104-102.