The San Miguel Beermen Captures 18th PBA Title

The San Miguel Beermen won the PBA Motolite Fiesta Cup 2009 last Friday in a Game 7 victory over the Ginebra Gin Kings, final score 90-79. This is San Miguel's 18th title in franchice history and 14th in import flavored conference. The Beermen Head Coach Siot Tanquincen also took his 3rd Championship as a coach and 1st in San Miguel team, his first 2 championship was with the Gin Kings during 2005 and 2005.

Before the Game 7 victory, the Beermen were down 3-2 and had to force do or die game in Game where they won 98-84. Defense was the key for the Beermen's victory as they held Gin King's import David Noel limited to just 8 points behind a 3-of-11 field goal shooting and 0-of-5 in the 3 point range. The Gin Kings also gave up the ball 21 times.

Jonas Villanueva became the finals MVP scoring 15 points, 8 rebounds and 7 assists. Marc Pingris and Danny Ildefonso added 12 and 10 points respectively. On Ginebra's side, season MVP Jayjay Helterbrand lead his team with 25 points while his teammates Ronald Tubid and Eric Menk added 10 and 12 points respectively.

The Ginebra Gin Kings failed to win back-to-back titles in an import flavored conference, so far Red Bull holds the record after winning the PBA Commissioner's Cup twice in a row in 2001-2002.