June Mar Fajardo has not forgotten.
The four-time MVP entered the league in 2012 and had his first experience playing in the PBA finals in the Governors' Cup.
Fajardo and the Petron Blaze Boosters pushed the Magnolia franchise, then called San Mig Coffee Mixers, to the limit before falling in Game 7. It was the first of San Mig Coffee's four straight championships.
Fajardo on Wednesday at the 2018 PBA Philippine Cup finals press conference said he still remembers how painful it was to lose to San Mig Coffee.
"I can never forget during my rookie [season], they gave me my first championship heartbreak. They made me cry," Fajardo said in jest.
"That was my rookie year. This is payback time," he said.
Fajardo is seeking retribution and San Miguel is chasing history as they pursue a record fourth-straight Philippine Cup title.
Magnolia defeated the NLEX Road Warriors in six to make their first finals appearance in the post-Tim Cone era.
The Beermen took care of Ginebra in five games and is heavily favored to win the series against the undermanned Hotshots, who will be without Marc Pingris.
"We're thankful we're here again in the finals," said Fajardo. "It wasn't an easy journey for us, [but] we'll make sure we give our best to get the championship."
Governors of both teams said fans can expect a great series.
"Both are Grand Slam teams and have a rich past. No one will give an inch. Both teams want to win," said Magnolia governor Rene Pardo.
"The All-Filipino is considered the most prestigious of the three PBA conferences," said SMB governor Robert Non. "There's no sister team here. It's survival of the fittest."
Game 1 is on Friday, March 23, at 7 p.m. at the Smart-Araneta Coliseum.