PBA: San Miguel’s stellar play ‘all starts with June Mar’

San Miguel Beermen’s June Mar Fajardo. –PBA IMAGES

MANILA, Philippines—After a stellar outing in San Miguel’s last affair in the PBA Governors’ Cup tournament, June Mar Fajardo showed up big anew in the Beermen’s victory against Ginebra at Araneta Coliseum.

Two days ago, Fajardo posted a double-double of 29 points and 12 rebounds en route to their win against Northport, 145-132. 

On Friday, the six-time MVP poured in another helpful effort to defeat the Gin Kings, 102-99, much to the delight of import Cam Clark and coach Jorge Gallent.

“It all starts with June Mar. He’s a six-time MVP so he’s a big focal point. When we got him going, it opened up a lot of shooters,” said Clark after tallying 35 markers and 10 boards.

“They were playing him tough in the beginning and then he got it going in the second half,” he added.

Fajardo, who was named an All-Star earlier Friday, registered a double-double of 12 points and 18 huge rebounds to power San Miguel to a two-way tie for the first seed with TNT (7-1).

Fajardo was also a huge key on defense as he snagged three steals and a block.

“Ginebra’s tough. It’s a ‘never say die’ team and it’s well coached. For us to win in this game, we had to play 48 minutes of basketball and not let them get a chance to take advantage of our lapses […] By the way, June Mar played good defense today,” said Gallent.

The center’s phenomenal play in the paint limited the Gin Kings to only 17 second chance points. 

Fajardo helped the Beermen guard the Gin Kings to just a 44 percent field goal shooting clip and a measly 32 percent clip from deep.

“Once I told the players that if we hit good shots we have a chance to get the offensive rebound and spring back down and defend better,” said Gallent.

The Beermen, who will be facing Tropang Giga on Sunday at PhilSports Arena, outrebounded Ginebra, 61-51. They also outscored the reigning Commissioners’ Cup champions in the paint by a close margin, 60-50.