June Mar Fajardo posts another double-double as San Miguel got a much-needed win at the expense of Ginebra in the PBA Season 50 Philippine Cup in Dubai.
While June Mar Fajardo stood out in San Miguel’s 83-81 win over Ginebra in the PBA Season 50 Philippine Cup in Dubai, the nine-time Most Valuable Player gave props to the real stars of the show.
“Salamat sa lahat ng nagpunta, sa mga kababayan natin dito sa Dubai. Salamat sa suporta ninyo," said Fajardo, named Player of the Game.
"Alam namin ang sakripisyo ninyo dito. Malayo kayo sa pamilya ninyo. Na-a-appreciate namin kayong lahat. God bless sa inyo. Mag-ingat kayo dito sa Dubai,” said Fajardo during the on-court interview at the Coca-Cola Arena early morning Monday, Oct. 27 (PH time).
Fajardo towed the Beermen to their second win in four games, putting up a double-double of 17 points and 16 rebounds.
As if that wasn’t impressive enough, he also had five assists and four blocks.
"Medyo [hectic] 'yong schedule namin pero nakuha pa rin naming paghandaan 'yong Ginebra. Credit sa ginebra sa magandang game," said Fajardo.
“Credit sa mga teammates ko. Ginawa namin kung ano 'yong prinaktis namin for the past days. Good thing nakuha namin ang panalo kasi crucial samin ang game na ‘to,” he added.
[ALSO READ: Nine-time MVP June Mar Fajardo recalls almost giving up during lowest point of PBA career]
San Miguel denies Ginebra comeback
San Miguel appeared focused right off the bat, leading by as many as 40-26 in the second period but had to overcome a late Ginebra uprising.
Thanks in large part to backup guard Kris Rosales, the Beermen escaped with the much-needed win.
In the bench for the first three quarters, Rosales made a splash in the fourth period, most notably inside the last 2:10 where he dropped five of the team’s last eight points.
[ALSO READ: Ramon Fernandez believes June Mar Fajardo is bound to win one more PBA MVP award]
But Ginebra, true to its never-say-die mantra, did not go down without a fight.
RJ Abarrientos of Ginebra dives for the ball. | Photo: PBA Images
A triple by Stephen Holt, a four-pointer by Scottie Thompson and a dunk by Japeth Aguilar got the Gin Kings to within two.
They got a golden chance to sneak out a win after Troy Rosario intercepted Rosales’ inbound pass and issued a baseball pass to a streaking RJ Abarrientos.
Hounded by Cjay Perez, Abarrientos was forced to give the ball up to Scottie Thompson, who could not launch the four-point heave on time.
Ginebra thus went on to drop to an alarming 1-3 tally.
Aguilar wound up with 20 points, 12 rebounds, three assists and two blocks, while Abarrientos added 17 markers, seven boards, four dimes and a steal.
Thompson had an all-around outing of 15 points, nine rebounds, seven assists, two steals and two blocks.
San Miguel vs. Ginebra Scores:
San Miguel 83 – Fajardo 17, Tiongson 10, Perez 10, Calma 10, Rosales 8, Trollano 7, Teng 6, Lassiter 5, Tautuaa 4, Ross 3, Cahilig 3, Brondial 0
Ginebra 81 – Aguilar 20, Abarrientos 17, Thompson 15, Holt 9, Torres 6, Rosario 6, David 5, Pinto 2, Estil 1, Gray 0
Quarterscores: 24-16, 40-30, 61-53, 83-81
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Like most sportswriters, Jan Ballesteros once dreamed of becoming a professional hooper. But he learned the hard way that it’s not for everyone.
He continues to be involved in the sport he loves, but this time as a member of the PBA Press Corps. Aside from primarily covering the PBA, he is also assigned to cover Gilas Pilipinas.