San Miguel Beermen center June Mar Fajardo.–PBA IMAGES
ANTIPOLO CITY — San Miguel flaunted its poise on Sunday night to weather TNT, 91-89, and annex a second straight victory to open its title retention bid in the PBA Philippine Cup.
Reigning Most Valuable Player June Mar Fajardo, still recovering from his calf problem, delivered 15 points and 17 rebounds to lead all of the Beermen in asserting their mastery of rival Tropang Giga at Ynares Center here.
“It was our defense down the stretch that won us the game,” head coach Jorge Gallent said. “I just told them that if we couldn’t score, let’s just make up on defense.
SCHEDULE: 2024 PBA Philippine Cup
Jericho Cruz, Don Trollano and Marcio Lassiter all finished with 12 points each to help the traditional powerhouse build a head of steam in their campaign while averting a meltdown at the hands of a late fightback led by Jayson Castro and Kelly Williams.
Castro had 20 points, Williams 14 as Roger Pogoy Pogoy, Calvin Oftana, and rookie Kim Aurin all chipped in twin-digit scores in the losing stand that had TNT dropping to 2-2 in the race.
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Brandon Ganuelas-Rosser, who was acquired by the telco club just before the conference, muffed a triple that would’ve stolen the game from San Miguel.
The Beermen will try to extend their winning ways against the Phoenix Fuel Masters on March 31.
The Tropang Giga, meanwhile, will get to enjoy a longer break as they are slated to return to action on April 5 when they battle the NorthPort Batang Pier.
The Scores:
SAN MIGUEL 91 – Fajardo 15, Lassiter 12, Trollano 12, Cruz 12, Romeo 9, Enciso 9, Perez 9, Ross 6, Teng 5, Tautuaa 2, Brondial 0
TNT 89 – Castro 20, Pogoy 15, Oftana 14, K.Williams 14, Aurin 10, Heruela 4, Ganuelas-Rosser B. 4, Ebona 4, Khobuntin 2, Ponferrada 2, Reyes 0, Varilla 0, Montalbo 0, Ganuelas-Rosser M. 0
Quarterscores: 25-23, 52-39, 72-70, 91-89