PBA: June Mar Fajardo powers San Miguel to 2-0 lead vs Rain or Shine
San Miguel Beermen center June Mar Fajardo during a game against the Rain or Shine Elasto Painters in Game 2 of their PBA Philippine Cup semifinal series.–PBA IMAGES
MANILA, Philippines–June Mar Fajardo lorded the paint in the third quarter to propel San Miguel Beer to a 106-89 rout of Rain or Shine and a 2-0 lead in their PBA Philippine Cup semifinal series Sunday at Mall of Asia Arena.
Fajardo scored 18 of his 22 points in that period in the paint as the Beermen left no chance for the Elasto Painters to put up a gallant fight like in Game 1 to gain further in their best-of-seven series.
He also had 10 rebounds and four assists as San Miguel moved two wins shy of advancing to the Finals.
The Beermen can put a stranglehold on the David against Goliath-themed encounter with the Elasto Painters in Wednesday’s Game 3 in Dasmarinas, Cavite.
READ: PBA: San Miguel fends off Rain or Shine to open semis series
CJ Perez had 19 points and 11 rebounds, Terrence Romeo came off the bench to score 16 while Marcio Lassiter added 13 behind three triples that allowed to move up in the league’s career three-pointers list.
Lassiter’s third long bomb came with over two minutes left for career triple No. 1,219, surpassing current Barangay Ginebra guard LA Tenorio for third on list while moving closer to record-holder Jimmy Alapag (1,250) and Allan Caidic (1,242).
Anton Asistio finished with 20 points spiked by four treys, but Rain or Shine lost its chance of keeping it tight when Fajardo began to dominate.
Rain or Shine was only behind by four, 73-69, with less than five minutes left in the third when San Miguel pulled away.
Fajardo hit back-to-back baskets to end the quarter and the Beermen led 88-71 after racking up 15 points while giving up two since the Elasto Painters’ closest gap.
The scores:
SAN MIGUEL 106—Fajardo 22, Perez 19, Romeo 16, Lassiter 13, Trollano 10, Ross 9, Cruz 9, Brondial 4, Tautuaa 4, Enciso , Manuel 0, Teng 0.
RAIN OR SHINE 89—Asistio 20, Nocum 17, Mamuyac 14, Datu 12, Belga 11, Santillan 5, Caracut 4, Clarito 4, Norwood 2, Paredes 0, Ildefonso 0, Belo 0, Borboran 0.
Quarters: 23-21, 53-45, 88-71, 106-89.
