Photo by Tristan Tamayo/INQUIRER.net
With the defense zeroing in on him, June Mar Fajardo was held to just four points in the first half of San Miguel’s tiff against Rain or Shine on Friday.
But suppressing the giant all game long proved to be too tough of a task for the Elasto Painters with Fajardo breaking out in the second half to help the Beermen clinch a 107-101 win in overtime.
The three-time PBA Most Valuable Player silently racked up 25 points and 17 rebounds and delivered when his team needed him most in crunch time.
READ: Clutch Cabagnot, Fajardo lead San Miguel to OT win
“I was just picking up the scraps. They gave me the ball so I had to score,” said Fajardo, who went on a 9-of-12 shooting from the field and also had a 7-of-9 clip from the free throw line.
“I give credit to my teammates because they played good.”
The victory, which was the Beermen’s seventh straight, also clinched them a twice-to-beat advantage going into the 2017 PBA Philippine Cup quarterfinals.
As the score suggests, the Beermen had a tough time against Rain or Shine, which Fajardo expects to make a deep run in the playoffs.
READ: Cabagnot delivers in clutch again: ‘That’s why I’m on the floor’
“Their game plan was good. They run at a fast pace and their big men have outside shooting. They have a strong team. I think they can make it to the semis.”
Fajardo noted that San Miguel must be doubly cautious as it tries to sustain its run nearing the quarterfinals.
“This is now the crucial part. We need to be healthy. We can’t afford to have a dip in our game in the playoffs.”
San Miguel returns to action next Saturday in Lapu-Lapu City in Cebu against GlobalPort.