June Mar Fajardo posted a double-double as the San Miguel Beermen notched a sixth win at the expense of the Blackwater Bossing in the PBA Philippine Cup.
June Mar Fajardo sat comfortably on the bench in the final period of San Miguel’s 115-78 thrashing of Blackwater in the PBA Season 49 Philippine Cup on Sunday, May 25.
After all, the Beermen — who played without three players due to sore eyes — did not need the eight-time Most Valuable Player in the latter stages with the squad already sitting on a comfortable 86-57 cushion at the end of the third quarter.
Before sitting out the final 12 minutes, the pride of Pinamungajan, Cebu already had 17 points, 13 rebounds and two blocks.
Ever humble, Fajardo refused to put the spotlight on himself.
“Maganda ang ipinapraktis namin. Nagku-complement kami sa isa’t-isa. Maganda ang [laro] namin ngayon. Sana magtuluy-tuloy,” said Fajardo after the match that gave San Miguel a 6-2 mark at the PhilSports Arena in Pasig.
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He also saw this as a chance to beef up the SMB bench’s confidence heading into the playoffs.
“Kailangan naming magkakumpiyansa lahat. Hindi lang [para sa] first five kung hindi lahat ng nasa bench. Kaming lahat, kailangang magkakumpyansa para pagdating ng playoffs, mataas ang morale namin,” Fajardo said.
Cjay Perez led the team with 20 points, two rebounds, three assists, and two steals, while JM Calma made the most of his playing time with 16-6.
Don Trollano had 15 markers and four boards, and Jericho Cruz added 13 points, two rebounds, and eight assists for the Beermen, who used a 28-17 second-period outburst to blow the game wide open.
San Miguel had to make do with the players present as Marcio Lassiter, Juami Tiongson and Jeron Teng missed the game because of sore eyes.
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“There’s no time for us to relax because we’ve seen in their game against Ginebra: they almost beat Ginebra. That gave us a lot of concern,” said Beermen coach Leo Austria, referring to Blackwater’s narrow 99-101 loss to the Gin Kings two days ago.
“I’m so happy the players responded. They really wanted to win.”
Christian David paced the Bossing with 15 points, six rebounds, five assists and a steal, while RK Ilagan had 14 markers, four boards and five assists.
BJ Andrade contributed 10 points for Blackwater, which dropped to 1-7.
San Miguel vs Blackwater scores:
SAN MIGUEL 115 – Perez 20, Fajardo 17, Calma 16, Trollano 15, Cruz 13, Ross 11, Tautuaa 9, Cahilig 8, Rosales 6, Brondial 0.
BLACKWATER 78 – David 15, Ilagan 14, Andrade 10, Caperal 8, Mallilin 6, Tratter 5, Barefield 5, Chua 4, Mitchell 3, Guinto 2, Escoto 2, Ayonayon 2, Casio 0.
Quarterscores: 24-22, 52-39, 86-57, 115-78.