Juami Tiongson suddenly came alive in the payoff period as San Miguel reminded Converge that it is still the team to beat in the PBA Season 50 Philippine Cup.
Juami Tiongson only needed one quarter to make a difference for defending champion San Miguel.
Scoreless in the first three frames, Tiongson suddenly came alive, unloading 14 points in the fourth to steer the Beermen to a 96-90 win over early favorite Converge in the PBA Season 50 Philippine Cup Sunday, Nov. 2.
“I’m so happy for Juami tonight. For the first time out of so many games, bigla siyang pumutok kanina,” said SMB coach Leo Austria after the match at the Ynares Center in Antipolo.
“I think, right place at the right time, because this game is really important for us.”
[RELATED STORY: PBA: San Miguel stretches win run to three, disrupts Converge]
June Mar Fajardo still dominates for San Miguel
While Juami Tiongson did the heavy lifting in the payoff period, June Mar Fajardo was stellar all-game long with his 24 points, 16 rebounds, two assists and two blocks.
Cjay Perez chipped in 13 markers, seven boards, five dimes and three steals for the Beermen, who had to recover from 12 points down in the second quarter before finally hiking their record to 3-2.
Meanwhile, leading the FiberXers was Schonny Winston, who finished with 20 points, seven rebounds and four assists.
Justin Arana (19 markers and 10 boards) and Justine Baltazar (13-19) each tallied double-double outputs.
June Mar Fajardo towers over his foes. | Photo: PBA Images
Baltazar actually rallied Converge to within five, 90-95, behind his five points in the homestretch.
But time just wasn’t on the FiberXers’ side.
Perez then split his shots from the foul line, and Winston attempted a desperation heave from the four-point line for Converge that hit nothing but air.
The FiberXers then found themselves joining their opponent at 3-2.
San Miguel vs. Converge Scores:
San Miguel 96 – Fajardo 24, Tiongson 14, Perez 13, Tautuaa 9, Teng 7, Rosales 7, Cruz 6, Rosales 6, Brondial 6, Calma 5, Lassiter 4, Miller 2, Ross 0
Converge 90 – Winston 20, Arana 19, Baltazar 14, Concepcion 9, Gomez de Liano 8, Muyang 6, Stockton 6, Muyang 6, Garcia 4, Javillonar 4, Delos Santos 0, Santos 0, Clemente 0, Eguilos 0, Racal 0
Quarterscores: 20-28, 47-49, 69-66, 96-90
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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.