It also indirectly made history for the Philippines.
On Sunday, June 14 (Manila time), the fifth game of the finals series between the New York Knicks (NYK) and the San Antonio Spurs (SAS) in the National Basketball Association (NBA) took place at the Frost Bank Center in San Antonio, Texas.
It is a crucial match for both teams as the stakes were high, with the Knicks only a win away from clinching their much-anticipated championship trophy and the Spurs pushing to extend the series for their chance of getting that title instead.
In the first quarter, the Spurs immediately showed their might in front of the home crowd, ending it with a 10-point lead, 23-13.
But approaching the halftime mark, the Knicks powered through and narrowed the lead to just five points, 42-37.
Entering the third quarter, the intense game saw both teams nearly equalling each other in terms of points for that specific quarter, but the Spurs increased their lead partially to seven points, 72-65.
But in the most-important part of the game, the fourth round, the NYK went all-out and delivered a total 29 points, which did not only erode SAS’ lead, but also their chance of getting their next NBA trophy.
Ultimately, the title went to the New York Knicks, securing their first NBA title in 53 years.
Named as the Finals MVP (most valuable player) is Jalen Brunson, as he delivered an outstanding 45 points for the Knicks in Game 5 alone.
Meanwhile, aside from ending the five-decade championships drought, it also made Jordan Clarkson the first player of Filipino descent to win an NBA championship in the league’s 80-year-long history.