“Sobrang special ng championship na ‘to”: Rodney Brondial plays through injury to lead San Miguel to the Philippine Cup title

From the moment the San Miguel Beermen seized control on Sunday night, the outcome felt inevitable—less a question of if and more a matter of when. By the time the final buzzer echoed inside the Mall of Asia Arena, San Miguel was once again standing on top of the Philippine Basketball Association, reaffirming its status as one of the league’s enduring dynasties.

Behind another masterful performance from June Mar Fajardo, the Beermen defeated TNT Tropang Giga, 92-77, to clinch the PBA 50th Season Philippine Cup Finals, completing a 4-2 series victory and adding yet another championship banner to their storied history.

Fajardo once again proved why he remains the gold standard in the league, delivering a dominant all-around effort with 29 points and 23 rebounds. The eight-time Most Valuable Player controlled the paint on both ends of the floor, dictating the tempo and anchoring San Miguel’s composure as the Beermen gradually pulled away in the second half.

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While Fajardo’s brilliance set the tone, San Miguel also drew vital contributions from its supporting cast—none more timely than that of veteran power forward Rodney Brondial. Coming off the bench, Brondial provided a crucial spark, finishing with 15 points and 13 rebounds to give the Beermen added muscle and energy when the game hung in the balance.

🍻🍻🍻 CHAMPION 🍻🍻🍻#PBA50 #PBA50LID#PBA50PhilCupFinalsG6 pic.twitter.com/hecE41mT0Q

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Brondial’s performance was made even more remarkable by the physical challenge he carried into Game 6. The 35-year-old revealed after the game that he had been playing through a sprained left ankle, an injury he sustained in Game 2 of the Finals on January 23.

“Sobrang special ng championship na ‘to. Akala ko hindi na ako makakabalik kasi sobrang sakit talaga ng paa ko. Nung Games 3 and 4, medyo mababa yung contributions ko, kaya nung Game 5 bumawi talaga ako,” Brondial said.

Despite the lingering pain and limited mobility, Brondial never considered sitting out the series finale. Fully aware of what was at stake, he pushed through the discomfort, determined to help San Miguel defend its Philippine Cup crown and finish the job against a resilient TNT squad.

“May extra pressure kasi dine-defend namin yung korona, at mahirap talaga yun. Kaya sobrang special nito. Kaya ito, buhos na. Tiyaka ko na iindahin yung injury, yung sakit. Kaya thanks God, ipinagkaloob sa amin,” he added.

Brondial’s grit and sacrifice embodied the Beermen’s championship mentality—a team built not only on star power, but on resilience, depth, and a shared commitment to winning. With veterans stepping up and leaders delivering when it mattered most, San Miguel once again showed why it continues to thrive on the league’s biggest stage.

As confetti rained down at the Mall of Asia Arena, the Beermen celebrated another hard-earned triumph—one forged through dominance in the paint, timely contributions from role players, and a refusal to yield despite adversity. In the league’s milestone season, San Miguel’s latest title served as a familiar reminder: when the stakes are highest, the Beermen still set the standard.

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