PBA: June Mar Fajardo powers San Miguel past Terrafirma and into semis
San Miguel Beermen center June Mar Fajardo during a game against the Terrafirma Dyip in the PBA Philippine Cup quarterfinals.–PBA IMAGES
MANILA, Philippines–San Miguel Beer cut short Terrafirma’s dream run after showing its full might in the second half for a 110-91 victory in Wednesday’s do-or-die quarterfinal match and advanced to the PBA Philippine Cup semifinals at Ninoy Aquino Stadium.
June Mar Fajardo led the charge with 21 of his 25 points in the second half as the Beermen got the Dyip off of their tracks to avoid being the latest No. 1 seed to be beaten by the eighth-ranked quarterfinalist.
Fajardo also grabbed 22 rebounds for San Miguel, which will take on either TNT or Rain or Shine in a best-of-seven series which begins Friday at Mall of Asia Arena.
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TNT and Rain or Shine were contesting the last semis berth as of posting time.
Terrence Romeo was also key with 19 points off the bench and CJ Perez put up 18 points, six rebounds and eight assists.
Terrafirma was looking to defy the odds anew after ending a 16-conference wait for a quarterfinals berth and pushing San Miguel to the limit by forcing a rubber match last Saturday at Rizal Memorial Coliseum.
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But Juami Tiongson, Stephen Holt, Isaac Go and Javi Gomez de Liano, who topscored with 23 points, and the rest of the Dyip ran out of steam despite taking an early lead in the first half.
San Miguel only led 45-44 at the half, before Fajardo was among the many of coach Jorge Gallent’s wards who made sure Terrafirma would be foiled by its upset bid.
Don Trollano added 18 points and eight rebounds for the Beermen while Chris Ross had five points, five rebounds, five assists and two steals while putting up his usual defensive effort.
Holt and Tiongson posted 18 points apiece for Terrafirma in defeat.
The scores:
SAN MIGUEL 110—Fajardo 25, Romeo 19, Perez 18, Trollano 18, Cruz 11, Lassiter 8, Ross 5, Tautuaa 4, Brondial 2, Enciso 0.
TERRAFIRMA 91—Gomez de Liano 23, Holt 18, Tiongson 18, Cahilig 12, Go 7, Camson 7, Carino 4, Ramos 2, Alolino 0, Mina 0, Sangalang 0.
Quarters: 20-25, 45-44, 79-66, 110-91.
