JUNE Mar Fajardo came up with another dominating performance that led San Miguel Beer to a 106-89 victory over Rain or Shine Sunday in their PBA Philippine Cup semifinals duel at the Mall of Asia Arena.
Fajardo scattered 18 of his 22 points in the third period, spearheading a massive attack that fully broke the Beermen away from an otherwise close contest and eventually into a 2-0 lead in the best-of-seven series.
Making the win extra special was Marcio Lassiter finishing with 13 points anchored on three triples that moved him into third place overall with 1,219 in his career.
That fact gave SMB coach Jorge Gallent another source of delight after his side played much more solid than in a 101-98 squeaker in the series opener last Friday.
"We just got better getting back on defense. The players really went down well and we were getting good shots, that's why we were able to sprint back down and stop their fastbreak points, which was our main concern," said Gallent.
Sponsored content: "At least now we did a better job sprinting back on defense and getting good shots, better shots than in Game 1. So I guess we just have to do the same in Game 3 and keep the energy up and keep on pressing the gas," added Gallent.
None translated that mantra into game more than Fajardo, who took just three shots for four points in the entire first half before bringing on the heat in the third quarter that netted SMB an 88-69 buffer going to the last 12 minutes of play.
"Hinahanap kasi ako ng mga teammates ko at sinabihan din ako ni coach na idiin 'yung opensa," was how Fajardo explained his third quarter play that saw him make seven of nine shots before also finishing with 10 boards for his 13th double-double of the conference.
Taking the cue from the seven-time MVP, the other Beermen also produced with CJ Perez finishing with his own double-double of 19 points and 11 rebounds, and Terrence Romeo and Don Trollano both coming off the bench to combine for 26 points.
Mainly through the efforts of Gian Mamuyac and Keith Datu, Rain or Shine managed to trim the deficit to 84-96, but that was the closest it would get as Romeo's baseline jumper and Lassiter's trey effectively quashed the uprising.
Sponsored content: After scoring just three points in the opener and despite a busted nose following a foul from Rodney Brondial, Anton Asistio wound up with 20 points to lead the Elasto Painters, who are now hard-pressed falling into a 0-3 hole come the game at the Dasmarinas Arena in Cavite on Wednesday.
Also atoning from a listless Game 1 performance, in which he went scoreless, was Adrian Nocum, who notched 17 points and nine rebounds. Mamuyac chipped in 14 points while Datu scored a personal playoff-high 12 points.
All those were not enough to boost Rain or Shine, which committed 15 turnovers that SMB translated into 18 points. (NC)
