NO question, eight-time MVP awardee June Mar Fajardo can win games, and win in many ways.
With his team suddenly in trouble late in the game, Fajardo sprinted down court, received the forward pass then drained a buzzer-beater, lifting San Miguel Beer to a 113-112 squeaker over Rain or Shine Thursday at the Ninoy Aquino Stadium.
"Tsamba na lang yon," said Fajardo of his game-winning 12-footer, foiling the Elasto Painters' sweep bid in the first round of the PBA Governors Cup eliminations.
"Dying seconds, kailangan itira. Mabuti pumasok," added Fajardo, saving the Beermen from what could have been a sorry loss in the game they set the pace most of the way.
Fajardo had had 27 points and 19 rebounds in a huge double-double game he capped with that winner for SMB and spoiler for ROS, lifting the Beermen to a 3-2 record, tied for second with NLEX in Group B.
Sponsored content: Rain or Shine suffered its first loss in five starts in the season, something coach Yeng Guiao took with a smile.
For it's a game that they just nearly stole on four charities Felix Lemetti earned on a brilliant play versus Chris Ross in the last three seconds. In converting all those charities, the Elasto Painters moved ahead at 112-111.
But the Beermen didn't lose the presence of mind, quickly inbounding the ball and running a fastbreak play ending with Fajardo knocking down the game-winner to the frenzied celebration of the Beermen.
Fajardo just made more special the night where he moved past Philip Cezar at No. 7 in the all-time rebounding ladder with 5,846, and tied Danny Seigle at No. 10 in the all-time most number of charities made with 2,096.
And with his heroics, Fajardo preserved Jordan Adam's 41-point game.
Rain or Shine pushed San Miguel to the limit with a tough stand led by super rookie Lametti who scored 28 points with 5-of-6 three-pointers and 1-of-1 four-pointer.
Sponsored content: Aaron Fuller also played big with 24 markers and 18 rebounds.(SB)
