RIZAL, Philippines – One can hardly tell that June Mar Fajardo played under the weather.
The reigning eight-time MVP, after all, remained dominant, lifting San Miguel to a 115-102 victory over Blackwater at the Ynares Center in Antipolo on Sunday, December 15.
Fajardo turned in 27 points, 22 rebounds, and 6 assists as the Beermen won back-to-back games since Leo Austria returned as head coach and improved to 3-2.
“We needed to push ourselves. We needed to dig deep. We wanted to win. If we lost, it’ll be hard for us,” said Fajardo in Filipino.
Import Torren Jones also produced a 29-point, 14-rebound double-double, while CJ Perez put up 16 points and 6 rebounds in the win that saw San Miguel fight back from a double-digit lead after trailing 18-28 in the first quarter.
The Beermen did not take long to grab the upper hand, outscoring the Bossing 37-22 in the second quarter, with Chris Ross beating the first-half buzzer with a four-pointer for a 55-48 lead.
Fajardo scored 9 points in the second period and fired 9 points again in the final frame, including a free throw that gave San Miguel its biggest lead at 113-98 with 1:30 minutes remaining.
Jericho Cruz added 14 points off the bench for the Beermen and Don Trollano chimed in 11 points and 11 rebounds as a starter.
San Miguel played without Juami Tiongson, who sat out with a groin injury.
George King exploded for 40 points with 6 rebounds, 4 assists, and 2 steals, but his effort went for naught as Blackwater returned to its losing ways and dropped to 1-4.
The Bossing, who stunned erstwhile unbeaten Meralco on December 12 for their first win of the conference, showed promise against the mighty Beermen but ultimately struggled to contain the twin towers of Fajardo and Jones.
Sedrick Barefield had 17 points, while Christian David tallied 10 points and 8 assists in the losing effort.
San Miguel 115 – Jones 29, Fajardo 27, Perez 15, Cruz 14, Trollano 11, Cahilig 8, Lassiter 5, Ross 4, Rosales 2, Tautuaa 0, Enciso 0, Brondial 0.
Blackwater 102 – King 40, Barefield 17, David 10, Ilagan 9, Chua 6, Ponferrada 6, Suerte 5, Kwekuteye 5, Guinto 4, Casio 0, Escoto 0, Hill 0.
Quarters: 18-26, 55-48, 85-77, 115-102.
– Rappler.com
