Fajardo keys Beermen squeaker over Painters

MANILA, Philippines -- When all else fails, count on the eight-time PBA Most Valuable Player to make the big shot.

June Mar Fajardo saved the day for San Miguel as the Beermen dealt the Rain or Shine Elasto Painters their first loss of the PBA Governors’ Cup, 113-112, Thursday evening at the Ninoy Aquino Stadium in Manila.

In perhaps the most dramatic way possible, Fajardo pulled the Beermen out of a massive collapse to grab the win.

With San Miguel leading by three, 111-108, with six seconds remaining after a pair of free throws by Jordan Adams, Rain or Shine rookie Felix Lemetti brought the ball to the halfcourt line and was fouled by Chris Ross in an effort to send him to the line.

Lemetti, though, had the presence of mind to heave the ball up and create the foul to a 4-point attempt, giving him four free throws.

He calmly sank one after another, and gave the Elasto Painters the lead, 112-111, with three seconds to go.

The ball was then brought quickly to the other side, with the rock finding Fajardo’s hands. He hoisted up a long 2-pointer, which frontf-rimmed at first, but eventually found the bottom of the net as time expired.

“We played hard. Coming into the fourth quarter, we led, but we just relaxed,” San Miguel head coach Jorge Gallent said after the win.

“Rain or Shine is a pesky team, so they’re just gonna go go and go. We just have to take care of the ball coming into the endgame,” he added.

After leading by double digits in the third frame, San Miguel made just enough shots to keep Rain or Shine at bay.

The Beermen were leading by nine, 99-90, with 5:20 left, before timely shots towed the Elasto Painters back.

They were able to cut the lead to two, 101-103, after a 4-pointer by Lemetti.

After a Fajardo layup on the other end, Rain or Shine was able to tie it up after back-to-back short stabs by Aaron Fuller and Keith Datu, setting up the wild and woozy ending.

Adams led all scores with 41 points, six rebounds and five assists. Fajardo added 27 points and 21 rebounds.

Lemetti had 28 points on an efficient 7-of-11 clip, including 5-of-6 from the 3-point territory and 1-of-1 from 4.

Fuller chipped in 24 markers and 19 boards, while Adrian Nocum had 21.

Despite the loss, Rain or Shine is still on top of Group B with a 4-1 slate. San Miguel rose to 3-2.