ANTIPOLO - June Mar Fajardo produced a brilliant 20-20 performance as San Miguel Beer made it two in a row in coach Leo Austria's return via a 115-102 victory over Blackwater Sunday in the PBA Commissioner's Cup.
Fajardo piled up 27 points and 22 rebounds plus six assists even as he became the anchor of SMB's momentum-swinging 37-22 salvo in the second period and mop-up operations in the second half.
The eight-time MVP, who had a previous outing of 21-19-7 in SMB's 106-88 romp over Terrafirma that served as a welcome-back gift to Austria last Friday, delivered his monster showing despite feeling under the weather.
"Kailangang i-push ko 'yung sarili, dig deep kasi gusto naming manalo kasi pag natalo kami mahirap na," said Fajardo while deflecting credit.
"Collective effort ito ng team - players,coaching staff - kaya nakuha namin itong panalo."
Sponsored content:
Fajardo formed a 1-2 punch inside with import Torren Jones, who posted 29 markers and 14 boards in his second appearance in place of Quincy Miller.
"He's still adjusting to the system but slowly nakukuha na niya 'yung game plan and we're happy sa pagiging hard worker niya; andami niyang nakuhang bola at putbacks. That's one of the things na kailangan namin," said Austria of Jones, who had 24-13 in his debut.
CJay Perez (15), Jericho Cruz (14), Don Trollano (11) and Andreas Cahilig (eight) complemented the duo.
The Beermen shook off a sluggish start that enabled the Bossing to lead as many as 10, 28-18.
"We're not so happy because 'yung turnovers namin mataas (17) and we're a little scrappy in the first half. But kahit ano pang sama ng laro, panalo. Kahit one point yan, a win is a win, what more if more than 10 points?" said Austria.
George King erupted for 40 but failed to stop the Bossing's fall to 1-4. (OL)
Sponsored content:
The Scores:
San Miguel 115 - Jones 29, Fajardo 27, Perez 15, Cruz 14, Trollano 11, Cahilig 8, Lassiter 5, Ross 4, Rosales 2, Tautuaa 0, Enciso 0, Brondial 0.
Blackwater 102 - King 40, Barefield 17, David 10, Ilagan 9, Chua 6, Ponferrada 6, Suerte 5, Kwekuteye 5, Guinto 4, Casio 0, Escoto 0, Hill 0.
Quarterscores: 18-26, 55-48, 85-77, 115-102
