San Miguel Beermen center June Mar Fajardo during a game against the Rain or Shine Elasto Painters in the PBA Governors’ Cup.–PBA IMAGES
MANILA, Philippines–June Mar Fajardo saved San Miguel Beer from the jaws of defeat as he knocked down a buzzer-beating jumper for a thrilling 113-112 win over Rain or Shine Thursday in Group B of the PBA Governors’ Cup at Ninoy Aquino Stadium.
Fajardo scored from about 21 feet off Gian Mamuyac to rescue the Beermen after the Elasto Painters went ahead on Felix Lemetti’s four free throws after he got fouled in the act of shooting by Chris Ross with 3.0 seconds left.
The unbelievable ending that saw Fajardo’s winner bounce the front rim before it went in allowed San Miguel to end Rain or Shine’s unbeaten start at 4-0 while wrapping up the first round with a 3-2 record, tied for second with NLEX.
READ: PBA: NLEX slips past San Miguel in OT for bounce back win
FTW! Isang tagay para kay ABAI! #PBAAngatAngLaban#PBAS49GovsCupROSvsSMB pic.twitter.com/6suvYOIJAr
— PBA (@pbaconnect) September 5, 2024
Fajardo finished with 27 points and 21 rebounds on the night he surpassed Philip Cezar for seventh on the all-time rebound list and tied San Miguel legend Danny Seigle at No. 10 for most free throws made.
Import Jordan Adams topscored for the Beermen with 41 points.
Lemetti made 14 of his 28 points in the fourth quarter which saw Rain or Shine, still the leader in the group despite the heartbreaking defeat, rally from a 12-point deficit in the second half.
READ: PBA: Brownlee scores career-best 51 points, Ginebra clips San Miguel
He scored 11 late, including the foul shots that came by making a bold move to go for a shot anticipating a foul from Ross past halfcourt.
A video review confirmed that Lemetti was in the act of shooting, much to Ross’ chagrin, and the eighth overall pick in the Rookie Draft displayed steely nerves by making all of his free throw attempts.
With no timeouts, San Miguel hurriedly inbound the ball to CJ Perez, who made a quick pass to Fajardo for the buzzer-beating shot.