FAJARDO POWERS SMB PAST ROS
June Mar Fajardo, getting into foul-trouble situation early, returned to deliver the goods in the crunch as San Miguel Beer drubbed Rain or Shine, 87-79, in Day Two of PBA Season 40 at the Smart Araneta Coliseum Tuesday.
Fajardo asserted himself in the fourth quarter, putting in clutch baskets and crucial assists to help Leo Austria get a triumphant comeback as head coach in the local pro league.
“Naging blessing in disguise yun early fouls ni June Mar. It allowed him to play fresh in the fourth quarter at talagang in-assert niya yung sarili niya,” said Austria of his towering center.
Fajardo scored eight of his 16 points in the payoff period and finished with double-double numbers as he also got 10 rebounds in his PBA return after a stint with Gilas Pilipinas in the World Cup and in the Asian Games.
“The plan is to maximize the use of June Mar. By dominating inside, he’ll open up our shooters,” Austria said.
They were not able to do that early on as the 6-foot-10 Cebuano behemoth picked up three fouls in the first three minutes of play.
Nonetheless, the Beermen took control almost throughout, leading by as many as 14 before fending off Rain or Shine’s endgame fightback.
“It’s my first game as San Miguel coach and we won. I’m so happy for that,” said Austria. “It will help motivate me and my team as we beat a real championship contender in Rain or Shine.”
Rain or Shine stayed right behind San Miguel and threatened to turn the game around at the finish though losing chief playmaker Paul Lee to a hyper-extended right knee in the second quarter.
As Jeff Chan nailed his second and last triple to cap an 11-point outing, the Elasto Painters came to within two at 77-79 with 2:55 left to play.
Arwind Santos hit a top-of-the-key basket in the ensuing play then the Beermen made the necessary stops to secure the win.
Santos, like Fajardo, made 16 points and also snared 13 rebounds for his own double-double game.
Marcio Lassiter fired two triples and finished with 13 markers while Chris Lutz added 11.
Sophomore center Raymond Almazan topscored for the E-Painters with 12 on 6-of-10 shooting. (SB)
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