June Mar Fajardo of Petron (dark) vs Yancy De Ocampo and ALex Mallari of San Mig Coffee (light). Nuki Sabio/PBA
MANILA, Philippines – Petron Blaze shook off a slow start to beat San Mig Coffee, 91-78, and go 3-0 in the 2014 PLDT MyDSL Philippine Cup Wednesday night at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
Sophomore giant Junemar Fajardo asserted his size to notch 21 points and 25 rebounds on top of four blocks for the shorthanded Boosters.
“Junemar (Fajardo) was a post presence for us,” said Petron coach Gee Abanilla. “We worked the ball inside and out and freed a lot of our shooters also.”
Reigning league MVP Arwind Santos added 17 points and 14 rebounds while Chris Lutz had 14 points and career-highs 13 assists and nine turnovers.
“I think Chico (Lanete) gave us a lift. He gave us a good substitution,” added Abanilla.
Lanete was solid in just 11 minutes of play off the bench with seven points.
The Boosters leaned on Fajardo, Lassiter and Lutz late to keep the winless Mixers at bay.
After JR Cawaling cut Petron’s lead down to six, Lassiter scored before Fajardo converted a three-point play to extend the advantage back to 10, 82-72, with only 4:09 left. San Mig Coffee never threatened again.
Mark Barroca paced the Mixers with 20 points while Pingris and Cawaling has 16 and 15 points, respectively.
Two-time MVP James Yap struggled anew with just five points on one-of-eight shooting.