SAN Miguel reasserted its stature with two finals appearances and one championship in 2018. Several Beermen players also had a notable year even as the team got even stronger by the tailend of 2018 after a blockbuster deal.
Beermen cop fourth straight Philippine Cup
San Miguel sustained its dynasty in the prestigious Philippine Cup by beating Magnolia in five games in the finals. The Beermen steamrolled to victory, winning the final four games of the series including an epic Game Five where June Mar Fajardo finished with 42 points and 20 rebounds in a 108-99 double-overtime classic.
Another dominant year for June Mar Fajardo
Two Best Player of the Conference awards and one Finals MVP plum – that was how the year was for Fajardo, who is in line for a historic fifth straight season MVP award. Not even an injury during the Governors’ Cup could stop the domination of Fajardo.
Balkman lifetime ban lifted
A controversial import returned to the Philippines after Renaldo Balkman’s lifetime ban in the PBA was lifted in 2018. Balkman, who earlier in the year suited up for Alab Pilipinas in the Asean Basketball League, had to wait for five years before the ban was lifted after he was suspended for life by the league for choking Arwind Santos during a game.
Lassiter, Cabagnot, Santos make it to Team Pilipinas
The Beermen also contributed to the national team’s cause in 2018. Aside from June Mar Fajardo, Marcio Lassiter and Alex Cabagnot also made it to Team Pilipinas with Lassiter returning to the national team after his stint with the original Gilas squad early in his career. Arwind Santos, on the other hand, also made his return to the national team in 2018 after a nine-year wait.
SMB acquires Terrence Romeo
The strong got even stronger in 2018 when San Miguel made a blockbuster trade in December when the Beermen got former Gilas standout Terrence Romeo from TNT in exchange for David Semerad, Brian Heruela, and draft picks.
GRADE: A+
The Beermen stamped their class once again in 2018 following two finals apperances, and the Romeo trade only made the team a lot more formidable heading to a new year.
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