All news tagged SanMiguelBeermen

Nine-time PBA MVP June Mar Fajardo is auctioning off his first MVP trophy to help raise funds for typhoon relief efforts, after his home province of Cebu was severely affected by Typhoon “Tino.”

According to the Office of Civil Defense, 232 people have died, 112 are missing, and 512 were injured due to the storm’s devastation.

“Masakit makita na ang daming nawalan—bahay, hanapbuhay, at pamilya,” said Fajardo. “Alam kong mahirap bumangon, pero tiwala lang tayo, pray lang tayo kay God. Magpo-provide naman si God para sa atin.”

Fajardo said he chose to auction his first MVP trophy—a symbol of his early sacrifices and hard work—because it holds special meaning both to him and to his fellow Cebuanos.

‘Yung trophy na ’yon, espesyal sa akin kasi years of hard work ’yon. Pero mas espesyal sa akin ang mga Cebuano,” he shared.

Fajardo won the MVP award in just his second season in the PBA—the first of his record-breaking nine MVP titles.

San Miguel forward Don Trollano made a triumphant comeback, earning the PBA Press Corps Player of the Week honors for the period of November 5–8 following his stellar performance in the Beermen’s thrilling 94–92 victory over Magnolia in the PBA Season 50 Philippine Cup.

Back from a brief absence due to a back injury, Trollano wasted no time making his presence felt. He delivered a game-high 29 points, including a cold-blooded four-point shot in the final minute that sealed San Miguel’s fourth straight win.

Beyond the late-game heroics, Trollano showed his consistency throughout the match, pouring in 14 points in the second quarter to help the Beermen build momentum. He also hit three of his five three-point attempts and added six rebounds in an all-around effort that highlighted his value on both ends of the floor.

Trollano’s impressive showing earned him the weekly recognition over strong contenders such as Kelly Williams (TNT), Robert Bolick (NLEX), and Jio Jalalon (TNT). His performance not only proved his resilience but also reaffirmed his role as one of the Beermen’s most reliable offensive weapons.

With his health back and his rhythm restored, Trollano’s Player of the Week honor serves as a testament to his determination and clutch mindset, qualities that continue to power San Miguel’s championship drive.

The San Miguel Beermen held off a furious comeback by Barangay Ginebra San Miguel to escape with a thrilling 83–81 victory in the PBA Season 50 Philippine Cup at the Coca-Cola Arena in Dubai early Monday (Manila time).

Leading by as much as 14 points, San Miguel weathered Ginebra’s late rally behind the leadership of June Mar Fajardo, who turned in another MVP-caliber performance with 17 points, 16 rebounds, five assists, and four blocks.

Veteran guard Kris Rosales delivered in the clutch, knocking down two crucial three-pointers in the final minutes to help the Beermen secure their second win in four games.

“Our schedule is quite packed, but we still managed to execute our game plan and get the win,” said Fajardo, who also took time to thank the Filipino fans in Dubai for their unwavering support.

Ginebra had a final chance to snatch the win after forcing a turnover in the last 3.7 seconds, but Scottie Thompson’s desperation three-pointer missed at the buzzer.

Japeth Aguilar led the Gin Kings with 20 points, 12 rebounds, and three assists, while RJ Abarrientos added 17 points, and Thompson nearly posted a triple-double with 15 points, nine rebounds, and seven assists.

Despite Ginebra’s valiant effort, San Miguel’s composure and experience proved decisive, giving them a momentum boost as they continue their title campaign in the midseason conference.

As a child, June Mar Fajardo stood out not for his talent but for his towering height — something he once despised. Teased and bullied for being “too tall,” the young Fajardo wished he could blend in. Little did he know the very trait he once hated would transform his life and propel him to the summit of Philippine basketball history.

Fast forward to today, Fajardo stands alone as the greatest of all time, owning an unprecedented nine PBA Most Valuable Player awards, cementing his status as the league’s most dominant force.

“Sinong magaakala na isang bata na hindi man lang mahilig mag-basketball, pero nandito at mananalo ng nine MVPs. Kahit ako mismo, hindi ko in-expect na aabot ako sa ganito,” Fajardo said at the PBA Season 49 Leo Awards at Novotel Manila, as fellow players and legends applauded his feat.

He reflected on how his once-hated height turned out to be his greatest blessing.

“Dati sobrang hate ko yung height ko kasi ako yung pinakamatangkad, lagi akong binu-bully. Pero na-realize ko yun pala yung ultimate gift na binigay ni God sa akin. Yun pala yung magbabago ng buhay ko, buhay ng family ko, at buhay ng mga tao sa paligid ko.”

From an indifferent kid who only picked up basketball for a scholarship, Fajardo became the most decorated and dominant player the league has ever seen. His journey includes six straight MVPs, a career-threatening shin injury, and a triumphant return to bag three more MVPs — capped by his best statistical season in years: 19.2 points, 15.1 rebounds, and 3.1 assists per game.

He admitted that when he broke his tibia, doubts crept in.

“Kahit ako, nagcross din sa isip ko na baka nga hindi na makakabalik. Pero ginawa ko yung therapy ko religiously. Kasi kung mag give up ako, by default talo na ako. So binigyan ko ng chance yung sarili ko, baka makabalik ako — at yun nga ang nangyari,” the 6-foot-10 gentle giant said.

“Credit din talaga sa sarili ko. Kasi di ako nag give up. Kung nag give up ako sana wala na ako ngayon. Thankful ako kay God.”

From a bullied boy who once resented his height to a nine-time MVP redefining greatness, June Mar Fajardo has not only changed his own life but has also inspired a generation to see challenges as gifts — and to never give up on themselves.

The dream of achieving a rare Grand Slam lives on for the TNT Tropang 5G as they defeated the San Miguel Beermen in Game 5 of the PBA Season 49 Philippine Cup Finals, 86-78, on Wednesday night, July 23, at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.

TNT came out strong from the get-go, building a 27-20 lead in the opening quarter, led by Brandon Ganuelas-Rosser, who exploded for 14 points in the first period. He finished with 18 points, five rebounds, one assist, three steals, and a game-high five blocks.

The San Miguel Beermen are just one win away from reclaiming their throne atop the PBA, taking a commanding 3-1 lead over the TNT Tropang 5G in the Season 49 Philippine Cup Finals. San Miguel powered past TNT, 105-91, Sunday night at the Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City.

Jericho Cruz was the catalyst for the Beermen, exploding for 23 points—15 of them in the pivotal fourth quarter—sinking five triples. Conference Best Player June Mar Fajardo added a double-double of 15 points, 16 rebounds, plus three steals and two blocks.

“The biggest factor was Game 1. It fueled our grit—you could see in our players’ eyes that they want to win. We had a bad start, but the bench brought energy and aggression. This was also the first time we really shot well from deep, and that was key,” said head coach Leo Austria.

Cruz also reflected on the controversial Game 1 loss, which continues to motivate the team. “We thought we had that first game, but that’s behind us now. Boss Alfrancis Chua told me to just play my game and ignore the outside noise.”

CJ Perez chipped in 16 points, five assists, and three rebounds, Don Trollano contributed 11 points, six boards, and three assists, while Marcio Lassiter added 10 points for San Miguel.

The Beermen will aim to clinch the Best-of-7 series and dash TNT’s Grand Slam hopes on Wednesday, July 23, at the Araneta Coliseum.

The game remained tight at 73-72 with just over eight minutes left, but Cruz drilled a crucial three to extend San Miguel’s lead. Although RR Pogoy quickly answered, Cruz and Trollano took over, pushing the Beermen ahead 84-79. 

Fajardo and Perez then combined for back-to-back buckets, stretching the lead to nine. TNT’s Glenn Khobuntin managed an and-one to cut the deficit to six, but that was as close as TNT would get.

Jordan Heading paced TNT with 23 points and five assists, while Kelly Williams and Brandon Ganuelas-Rosser scored 14 apiece. RR Pogoy and Calvin Oftana added 11 each. 

However, nothing could stop San Miguel, as TNT dropped its third straight game after narrowly winning Game 1.

The San Miguel Beermen have tied the PBA Season 49 Philippine Cup Finals at 1-1 after defeating the TNT Tropang 5G, 98-92, in Game 2 on Wednesday, July 16, at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.

Don Trollano delivered a breakout performance off the bench, tallying 22 points on an efficient 10-of-16 shooting from the floor. He also grabbed six rebounds and handed out an assist, leading San Miguel's charge to equalize the series.

June Mar Fajardo provided solid support with 17 markers, nine boards, three dimes, and one steal. Mo Tautuaa also stepped up, sealing the win with a wide-open layup to close the game without any controversy. He ended with 16 points and four rebounds.

Jeron Teng made his presence felt with 10 markers—all in the first half—while assistant playing coach Chris Ross showcased his trademark leadership and defensive intensity, wrapping up the game with seven points, four rebounds, seven assists, and four steals.

After a close Game 1 of the PBA Season 49 Philippine Cup Finals — marred by the “basket interference” controversy — protagonists San Miguel Beermen and TNT Tropang 5G now focus on winning Game 2.

San Miguel, the winningest franchise in PBA history, will try to tie the series at 1-1 while moving past their opening game loss, which was clouded by the PBA technical committee’s review of Mo Tautuaa’s dunk.

They will once again bank on the dominance of eight-time MVP June Mar Fajardo, along with CJ Perez and the rest of the squad, to get the equalizer.

It will be the best two words in sports for the San Miguel Beermen and Barangay Ginebra San Miguel series, while TNT Tropang 5G kept their grand slam hopes alive after dismantling the Rain or Shine Elasto Painters in six games on Sunday, July 6, at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.

Jordan Heading exploded for 29 points, to go along with three rebounds, four assists, and two steals to lead TNT in securing the pivotal win that put them back in the PBA Finals for the third straight conference this season and gave them a chance to claim the first-ever grand slam in franchise history.

Brandon Ganuelas-Rosser added 17 markers, five boards, two dimes, and three rejections to help the Tropang 5G clinch the ticket to the championship round.

Three more TNT players poured in double digits in the team’s victory. Glenn Khobuntin finished with a double-double of 16 points and 12 rebounds, while Kim Aurin and Calvin Oftana ended with 13 and 12, respectively.

"All we wanted was to give ourselves a chance. Our objective after a 0-3 start was just to get to the playoffs. We were not even thinking of getting a twice-to-beat advantage getting to the playoffs, and we figured whoever it is we need to beat—and if we need to beat them twice—then so be it," said TNT head coach Chot Reyes of their PBA Season 49 Philippine Cup journey.

"Number two, we came together... and that's what happened. Everyone chipped in, stepped up. Unfortunately, we got all those injuries, but it is what it is. But as you saw today, these guys—they don't know the meaning of quit," he added.

San Miguel Beermen dominated Game 4 of their PBA Season 49 Philippine Cup best-of-seven semifinals series against Barangay Ginebra San Miguel, 107-82, on Wednesday, June 2, at the Mall of Asia Arena.

CJ Perez led the charge for the Beermen, who unleashed a 17-0 run in the deciding period to secure the win and tie the series at 2-2. Perez finished with 19 points, five rebounds, seven assists, one steal, and a block in nearly 35 minutes of action.

He was followed by Juami Tiongson with 14 points and June Mar Fajardo, who added 12 markers, a game-high 19 boards, three assists, two steals, and a block to help San Miguel take the crucial victory.

Three other Beermen scored in double digits, with Jericho Cruz and Rodney Brondial contributing 12 points apiece, while Don Trollano added 11.

A crucial battle awaits on Friday at the Smart Araneta Coliseum, where both teams aim to take a pivotal 3-2 series lead and move closer to the Finals.

Barangay Ginebra San Miguel secured a 2-1 lead in the PBA Season 49 Philippine Cup semifinals against the San Miguel Beermen with a 100-90 win on Sunday, June 29, at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.

RJ Abarrientos stepped up big, delivering an almost triple-double performance of 24 points, nine rebounds, and eight assists to lead the Gin Kings in regaining the upper hand.

Jamie Malonzo and Japeth Aguilar followed through with 20 and 18 markers, respectively. Malonzo also contributed four rebounds and two assists, while Aguilar had seven boards, two dimes, three steals, and two blocks.

Scottie Thompson and Stephen Holt also scored in double figures to help Ginebra clinch the Game 3 win. Thompson finished with 16 points, seven rebounds, five assists, two steals, and a block, while Holt had 10 markers, seven boards, and one deflection.

Down by as many as 18 points, Barangay Ginebra San Miguel still managed to take Game 1 of the PBA Season 49 Philippine Cup semifinals against the San Miguel Beermen, 73–71, on Wednesday night, June 25, at the Mall of Asia Arena.

Scottie Thompson was named Best Player of the Game after tallying 16 points on 6-of-9 shooting from the field, along with eight rebounds, one assist, and a steal.

Japeth Aguilar also provided steady production despite being in foul trouble, finishing with a team-high 18 points, nine rebounds, two assists, and a block. Jamie Malonzo added 14 points, five rebounds, three assists, and two steals.

Another battle for the ages is expected between the San Miguel Beermen and Barangay Ginebra San Miguel as they begin their highly anticipated best-of-seven semi-finals series on Wednesday, June 25, at 7:30 PM at the Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay.

These two PBA giants are no strangers to the big stage, and once again, they find themselves on a collision course—with pride, legacy, and redemption on the line.

As we continue our Player Profile Series featuring the greats from the Philippine Basketball Association (PBA), we now take a look at the contributions of the league’s 1990 Most Valuable Player.

Allan Caidic, known as “The Triggerman” in the PBA, entered the league in 1987 as the first overall pick by the Great Taste Coffee Makers. He immediately made an impact, winning Rookie of the Year honors and capturing a championship in his debut season.

Three seasons later, he claimed the league’s highest individual honor—his lone MVP award—and added a second championship to his resume that same year.

In this Player Profile Series, we look back at the career of Benjie Paras—“The Tower of Power”—the only player in PBA history to win Rookie of the Year and MVP in the same season.

Paras was drafted by the Shell Turbo Chargers in 1989 and made an immediate impact. With his strength, mobility, and basketball IQ, he brought a complete inside presence—shot-blocking, rebounding, mid-range shooting, and post scoring. Shell didn’t win a title that year, but Paras’ dominant rookie season stood out above the rest.

Another PBA Most Valuable Player takes the spotlight in our Player Profile Series. This time, we go back to 1985 and feature “The Quick Brown Fox” himself—Ricardo Brown.

Born on May 22, 1957, in Brooklyn, New York, Brown holds the distinction of being the first-ever Fil-American to play in the PBA as a ‘local.’ His career in the league ran from 1983 to 1990, but his impact remains legendary.

Standing at 6’1”, Brown was selected 59th overall by the Houston Rockets in the 1979 NBA Draft, but he was never signed. That didn’t stop him from chasing the game he loved. While playing in the United States, he was discovered by Eduardo “Danding” Cojuangco Jr., which opened the door for him to come to the Philippines.

As we continue our Player Profile Series, we shine the spotlight on one of the most quietly dominant figures in Philippine basketball history — Alberto “Abet” Guidaben.

Standing at 6-foot-5 and hailing from Mambajao, Camiguin, Guidaben carved out a legendary career that spanned two decades. Born on September 14, 1952, he would go on to become a 16-time PBA champion, two-time MVP (1983 and 1987), and one of the league’s most consistent frontcourt forces during its golden era.

A product of the Agoho Pirates and the University of San Jose–Recoletos, Guidaben’s rise began with the Crispa squad in the MICAA in 1973. A year later, he represented the Philippines at the 1974 Asian Games in Tehran, playing alongside legends like Robert Jaworski.

In the continuation of our Profile Series, we shine the spotlight on the first-ever four-time Most Valuable Player in the Philippine Basketball Association — and arguably the league’s greatest of all time — the legendary “El Presidente,” Ramon Fernandez.

Known for his elegant hook shot and unparalleled court vision, Fernandez took the league by storm with MVP wins in 1982, 1984, 1986, and 1988. Beyond individual accolades, he secured 19 championship titles in an illustrious career that spanned two decades.

Born on October 3, 1953, in Maasin, Leyte, Fernandez stood 6-foot-4 and played the center/forward position, but his game defied traditional roles. With the ball-handling of a guard and the mind of a tactician, he was the prototype of the modern big man — long before the game evolved to demand it.

On Sunday, May 4, at the Ynares Center in Antipolo City, Rizal, the TNT Tropang 5G finally found their groove after dropping their first three outings, while the Magnolia Chicken Timplados Hotshots continued to dominate the PBA Season 49 Philippine Cup, capturing their fifth straight victory.

TNT’s 89-84 upset over the San Miguel Beermen was less about precision and more about pride.

“We're a different team now,” admitted TNT head coach Chot Reyes, acknowledging the absence of Rondae Hollis-Jefferson—due to the All-Filipino format—and team leader Jayson Castro, who remains out with an injury. “We said, ‘Let’s write our own story.’ This win is just the first chapter.”

Calvin Oftana led the charge with 23 points and a career-high 21 rebounds, delivering both the numbers and the intangibles.

It’s only fitting that on Wednesday, April 16, two of the most storied franchises in Philippine basketball will collide in the PBA Season 49 Philippine Cup, as the league continues to celebrate its golden anniversary.

The Magnolia Chicken Timplados Hotshots and the San Miguel Beermen will square off at the Smart Araneta Coliseum in a battle for early supremacy. Both unbeaten, both hungry, both aiming to seize their third win—and with it, the solo lead in the standings.

These two titans began their campaigns with convincing victories last April 5 at the Ninoy Aquino Stadium. San Miguel dispatched the NLEX Road Warriors, 98–89, while Magnolia cruised past the Blackwater Bossing, 106–84.

On April 9, during the league’s anniversary celebration, both squads stayed perfect. The Hotshots used their signature defense to defeat the Converge FiberXers, 83–71, while the Beermen triumphed over the Meralco Bolts in a retro-themed showdown at the historic Rizal Memorial Coliseum, 110–98.