Photo by Tristan Tamayo/INQUIRER.net
San Miguel Beer stepped on the gas pedal in the fourth quarter to cruise past Columbian, 129-117, and stretch its winning streak to three in the 2018 PBA Commissioner’s Cup Wednesday night at Smart Araneta Coliseum.
June Mar Fajardo showed why he’s the four-time MVP after posting 37 points on 15-of-21 shooting from the field and 18 rebounds to lead the Beermen.
Alex Cabagnot added a triple-double with 20 points, 10 rebounds and 10 assists while Renaldo Balkman also had a his way with 27 points, 18 rebounds and six assists.
“Every time we’re facing Kia, I’m really worried because we have a history against this team. Even in the preseason or elimination round, we always have a hard time winning against them,” said SMB head coach Leo Austria, whose squad evened its record to 3-3.
Austria had every right to feel concerned especially with Columbian only down by five early in the fourth quarter.
But that’s also when the Beermen turned on the jets.
Fajardo scored nine during a 16-4 run by San Miguel that made it, 113-96, with 5:46 left.
The Dyip had no answers for the 6-foot-10 Fajardo, who scored whenever he wanted to.
John Fields and Rashawn McCarthy, who was part of the controversial trade that sent the rights to the No. 1 overall pick to San Miguel, had 19 points apiece for Columbian, which dropped to 3-5.