Meralco showed up wearing a throwback MICAA jersey back when it won the championship in the early 1970s.
San Miguel paraded a uniform that brought back memories of the 1982 season when the Beermen played in the finals twice in three conferences, including a championship in the Invitational tournament against Crispa.
For old times sake, these two teams went retro in celebration of the PBA’s Golden Anniversary, but in the end, the Beermen punctuated this historic night with a big win over their last season’s tormentor, 110-98, Wednesday at the Rizal Memorial Coliseum.
Wearing a white top paired with red shorts, the Beermen capped the celebration with a vengeful performance against the Bolts, who defeated the winningest franchise in league history in six games of their All-Filipino finals series.
CJ Perez came out all locked up as he sizzled for 29 points, including that four-point shot that allowed the Beermen to create some separation headed to the final stretch.
But Perez wasn’t just a one-man show for the Beermen, who unloaded their full arsenal in picking up their second win in as many games and depriving the Bolts the opportunity of moving up to solo lead.
San Miguei is now tied for the early lead with Magnolia in the team standings and handed Meralco its first loss in three matches.
June Mar Fajardo had a double-double game of 28 points and 10 boards while Jeron Teng stepped up and scored 11 markers. Rodney Brondial flirted with a double-double performance as he tallied nine points and nine boards while Marcio Lassiter contributed eight.
San Miguel coach Leo Austria couldn’t help but feel nostalgic as he stepped back to this historic venue.
Before he won the PBA Rookie of the Year award in 1985, Austria quarterbacked teams of Lyceum and Masagana 99 where he won championships as a collegiate and amateur player.
“We won a championship at the Rizal Memorial Coliseum while playing for Lyceum and then we won six championships while playing for Masagana 99 in the National Seniors. Kaya pagpunta rito, nago-goosebumps ako. Parang reminiscing,” added Austria.
