SMB IN COMMAND, 2-0
In a trying time, June Mar Fajardo still found a way to shine.
Fajardo broke through Talk n Text’s tough defense in the crunch as the San Miguel Beermen made it two in a row over the Tropang Texters in their PBA Philippine Cup Final Four faceoff with an 87-81 decision at the Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City Sunday night.
Held to five points through the first 43 minutes of play, Fajardo stepped up at the finish, scoring 10 straight points to personally hold off the Texters in a fierce battle in Game Two of their best-of-seven semis showdown.
As he came through in the homestretch, the Cebuano behemoth churned out yet another double-double game with 15 points and 12 rebounds.
“Ang ganda ng depensa nila kay June Mar but June Mar still shone in the end,” said San Miguel coach Leo Austria.
But though going 2-0 in the series after making a followup on their dominant 109-86 win in Game One, Austria did not count Talk n Text out yet.
“Kahit three-zero pa yan. Actually, I’ve experienced being 3-1 up in the PBA with Shell (in my playing days). Ganon din sa PBL. Parehong hindi namin nakuha in the end,” said Austria.
Austria said the challenge for them is to be more prepared in Game Three as he expects Talk n Text to try harder.
Alex Cabagnot, Chris Lutz and Arwind Santos bore the brunt early on as the Beermen took the early initiative then fought the Texters in a toe-to-toe battle in the second half.
Cabagnot paced the Beermen with 21 points while Lutz added 14 and Santos chipped in 10 markers and seven rebounds.
With the Texters not going away, the Beermen went to Fajardo in the final stretch.
Fajardo broke a long silence as he converted a tough reverse layup from a spin move, giving SMB a six-point lead at 78-72.
He then fired away eight straight foul shots, the last four making it 86-81 with time down to 37.3 seconds.
At 81-84, the Texters had their chances to tie but Jayson Castro, Jay Washington and Larry Fonacier misfired three straight three-point attempts.
A foul by Fonacier sent Fajardo to the line to seal their win.
Playing catch-up basketball from the start and trailing by 11 once, the Texters charged to within one, 40-41, at the half on a 21-11 salvo.
Matt Rosser canned in a charity then Castro rifled in a trey as the Texters finally surged ahead at 44-41 at the start of the third.
Castro and Rosser themselves led their crucial second-quarter charge after San Miguel dominated the first 15 minutes with torrid outside shooting.
Cabagnot, Santos and Ronald Pascual combined for 7-of-11 three-pointers as the Beermen took the opening quarter at 25-19 and led by 11 at 30-19.
But with the needed defensive adjustments, the Texters made the stoppages and got into the game in the second quarter.
The Texters held Fajardo to 1-of-7 field shooting and beat the Beermen, 26-4, on points inside the paint in the first 24 minutes of play.
(SB)
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