Photo by Tristan Tamayo/INQUIRER.net
June Mar Fajardo was a force to be reckoned with as San Miguel Beer held off NorthPort, 113-107, in the 2019 PBA Philippine Cup Sunday at Smart Araneta Coliseum.
Fajardo couldn’t be stopped, unleashing 40 points and hauling down 19 rebounds to lead the Beermen to their fourth consecutive win.
The reigning five-time MVP had everything going for him offensively as he hit 14 of his 15 attempts from the field and went 12-of-16 from the free throw line.
Four other Beermen scored in double figures with Terrence Romeo firing 23 points on 8-of-13 shooting from the field that went with six rebounds and three assists.
Marcio Lassiter added 15 points built on four 3-pointers while forwards Arwind Santos and Kelly Nabong had 11 points apiece for San Miguel, which claimed solo third place with a 6-3 record.
The Beermen took a 103-92 lead after a basket by Fajardo with 5:13 remaining but the Batang Pier fought back and came within three, 110-107, with still 36 seconds left.
Chris Ross, however, came through in the clutch for the Beermen as he knocked down a triple to put the game out of reach, 113-107, with 12 ticks to go. Ross finished with nine points and seven assists.
Mo Tautuaa led NorthPort with 28 points and 13 rebounds. The Batang Pier have now dropped their last five games after opening the season with a pair of victories.