June Mar Fajardo played sparingly but San Miguel still prevailed over Ginebra to equalize in Game 2 of the PBA Season 49 Philippine Cup semifinals.
San Miguel didn’t need June Mar Fajardo to be at his best to score a comeback win.
Nursing a calf injury he sustained in Game 1, the eight-time Most Valuable Player saw action with one good leg, but the Beermen still comprehensively beat Ginebra, 100-83, in the next match of the PBA Season 49 Philippine Cup semifinals Friday, June 27.
The best-of-seven showdown is now tied at one game apiece.
[RELATED STORY: San Miguel fires back at Ginebra, evens PBA Season 49 Philippine Cup semis clash in Game 2]
With Fajardo still trying to get at full strength, Marcio Lassiter took charge for SMB, which is eager to recover quickly following a 71-73 loss.
[RELATED STORY: SMB star Fajardo gets green light to play in PBA semis after sustaining calf injury in Game 1 loss]
Lassiter buckled down to work early, firing 14 of his 16 points in the first 24 minutes of action to give the Beermen a 54-41 cushion at halftime.
But while they squandered an 18-point advantage two days ago, they made sure there would be no letdown this time as they shifted into high gear in the next two quarters.
The Beermen even led by as many as 23 points, 90-67, on Andreas Cahilig’s triple in the 7:35 mark of the fourth period.
The outcome of the match was pretty much sealed right then and there.
June Mar Fajardo sees limited action in Game 2. | Photo (c) RM Chua/One Sports
SMB coach Leo Austria was no longer surprised that the league's Three-Point King, Lassiter, stepped up.
“He knows what the situation is, and that’s why he stepped up. His experience is different from the experience of [the other] players. He won 10 championships with this team,” Austria said.
With their main man Fajardo hurting, the Beermen made sure they would all help in filling in the void.
Don Trollano turned in 14 points, six rebounds and two steals, Kris Rosales contributed 13 markers, four boards and four dimes, while Jericho Cruz and Cjay Perez scored 11 each.
Mo Tautuaa, who started in lieu of the Cebuano behemoth, added 10 points and the same number of boards.
Fajardo coughed up two markers on a 1-for-4 clip in 17:39 of play. He also tallied seven rebounds and two assists.
“We’re sharing the ball, playing as a team. I think it’s one of the best distributed points for all of us: six guys on double digits. It puts a lot of pressure on the defense with everyone being a threat,” said Lassiter.
Meanwhile, Stephen Holt shot three triples on his way to 17 points and four rebounds to pace the Gin Kings.
Jeremiah Gray and Nards Pinto shot 10 apiece.
San Miguel vs. Ginebra scores:
SAN MIGUEL 100 – Lassiter 16, Trollano 14, Rosales 13, Perez 11, Cruz 11, Cahilig 9, Tiongson 8, Brondial 4, Fajardo 2, Calma 2, Teng 0.
GINEBRA 83 – Holt 17, Gray 10, Pinto 10, Thompson 9, Ahanmisi 9, Abarrientos 7, Rosario 6, J.Aguilar 5, Malonzo 5, David 5, Cu 0, Adamos 0, R.Aguilar 0, Tenoio 0.
Quarterscores: 26-15, 54-41, 76-61, 100-83.