Jay R. Gotera Saudi Gazette MANILA — The San Miguel Beermen crushed the Alaska Aces for a fourth straight time, 91-81, Friday night to complete a sweep of the season-ending PBA Governors' Cup Finals for their 21st PBA championship. Just like in previous games, the Beermen totally dominated the Aces in the second half with import Arizona Reid pouring on the points seemingly at will despite the tightest defense the Aces could put on him. Reid once again led SMB with 33 points, including six three-pointers. He also collected six boards and four assists. June Mar Fajardo was the other key factor in SMB's victory, finishing with another huge double-double of 19 points and 21 rebounds. Top gunner Marcio Lassiter added 12 points, five rebounds and five assists. Alaska was ahead by 12 points, 49-37, at halftime, but the Beermen came up big once again in the third quarter, outscoring the Aces 33-16 in the third quarter. The Beermen then leisurely cruised to victory in the final period en route to their second championship this season after winning the 2014-2015 Philippine Cup title. Calvin Abueva paced the downtrodden Aces with 22 points and 16 rebounds while import Romeo Travis had another so-so night, finishing with 15 points and six rebounds. Center Sonny Thoss added 13 points. Meanwhile, Fajardo won this season's Most Valuable Player award for a second straight year with little opposition as he reasserted his supremacy in Philippine basketball. The 6'10” SMB center received the honor during the annual Leo Awards that preceded Game 4 of the Finals. Fajardo, 25, became just the fourth player in the league to win back-to-back MVPs as he joined basketball greats Bogs Adornado (1975-1976), Alvin Patrimonio (1993-1994) and Danny Ildefonso (2000-2001). Fajardo had outstanding averages of 17.38 points, 12.75 rebounds and 1.74 blocks for the 2014-2015 season. Apart from the MVP, Fajardo also won the Sportsmanship Award and led both the All-Defensive and Mythical Teams. Fajardo bannered the Mythical First Team, composed of Talk ‘N Text guard Jayson Castro, Barangay Ginebra center Greg Slaughter, SMB teammate Arwind Santos of San Miguel and Paul Lee of Rain or Shine. Fajardo also led the All-Defensive team composed of San Miguel teammate Chris Ross, Alaska's Calvin Abueva and Ping Exciminiano, and Rain or Shine's Gabe Norwood. Meanwhile, GlobalPort Batang Pier top gunner Terrence Romeo won the PBA's Most Improved Player award. His backcourt partner, guard Stanley Pringle, was named Rookie of the Year. In a related development, Manny Pacquiao's Kia basketball team has decided to change its name to Mahindra Enforcer. Mahindra is an Indian vehicle manufacturer. Another major development shaping up in the PBA is the expected transfer of Star Hotshots coach Tim Cone to Barangay Ginebra. Cone broke his silence on the fast spreading rumor, saying the transfer is “possible” but that he has not been informed yet of any such move.
