San Miguel big man June Mar Fajardo makes his return. –PBA IMAGES
MANILA, Philippines–June Mar Fajardo returned in a big way as San Miguel Beer took another step in its bid to clinch a quarterfinals berth by routing Terrafirma, 131-103, in the PBA Commissioner’s Cup on Wednesday at Smart Araneta Coliseum.
Fajardo came off the bench to score 20 points after missing the previous seven games to undergo throat procedure as the Beermen climbed up to sixth place at 5-5 with their second straight triumph.
“June Mar’s always great,” said San Miguel assistant Jorge Gallent, who called the shots for the second straight time with coach Leo Austria still under health and safety protocols.
“We were just waiting for the doctor’s advice that he could play in the game. But practices? He still dominates,” Gallent added.
The game also saw the likely comeback of Terrence Romeo in the immediate future as he showed up in uniform. Gallent, however, bared that the former Finals Most Valuable Player opted not to see action despite initial plans to field him in for a few minutes.
Romeo may see action on Saturday when the Beermen face the TNT Tropang Giga at the same venue.
Devon Scott became the third import this conference to register a triple-double, posting 21 points, 19 rebounds and 11 assists while adding three blocks as he took advantage of the absence of Terrafirma counterpart Lester Prosper.
Jericho Cruz topscored for the Beermen with 25 points on 9-of-11 shooting that included making all six three-pointers.
Terrafirma was forced to play all-Filipino after Prosper was placed under health and safety protocols.
That left the Dyip, who were fresh from snapping a 25-game skid with an overtime win over the NLEX Road Warriors five days earlier, to absorb a massive beating to fall 1-10.
The scores:
SAN MIGUEL 131 — Cruz 25, Scott 21, Fajardo 20, Manuel 19, Perez 12, Zamar 8, Enciso 5, Herndon 5, Ross 4, Brondial 4, Faundo 2, Lassiter 1.
TERRAFIRMA 103 — Tiongson 28, Gomez de Liano 17, Mina 15, Ramos 8, Munzon 8, Camson 7, Javelona 6, Gabayni 5, Alolino 4, Balagasay 3, Grospe 2, Cahilig 0.
Quarters: 29-19, 63-38, 96-67, 131-103.