June Mar Fajardo, Beermen sink Batang Pier

MANILA, Philippines — June Mar Fajardo churned out his big game since a 42-point and 20-rebound effort in their title-clinching win in last year’s all-Filipino finals, this time coming through with 40 markers and 19 boards as San Miguel Beer fended off NorthPort, 113-107, to secure a playoff entry in the 2019 PBA Philippine Cup.

On a roll from his latest Gilas duty, Fajardo imposed his huge presence at the paint, going 14-of-15 from the field and 12-of-16 from the stripe for his fourth biggest career output that wowed the good weekend crowd at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.

And drawing tremendous boost from their other marquee players, the Beermen notched a sixth win in nine outings that kept them in the running for a twice-to-beat bonus in the quarterfinals.

The Batang Pier fought hard in a bid to improve their card on the fringes of the Top Eight, but came up short and thus dropped to 2-5.

Moala Tautuaa dished out a career-best 28-point showing that went with 13 rebounds, but this somehow pushed Fajardo to come up with an even bigger game.

“His Gilas stint has helped him a lot. And because he got sick in the trip, he lost weight and he became more agile,” said SMB coach Leo Austria of their ace behemoth. “Tumaas pa ang laro niya.”

Going to this game, Fajardo was averaging 20.13 points and 12 rebounds.

Already assured of a 23rd straight playoff appearance in the all-Filipino tourney, the Beermen are determined to get going in their last two games against the Phoenix Pulse Fuel Masters and the Alaska Milk Aces as they chase a Top Two finish in the elims and a twice-to-beat incentive in the quarters.

Barangay Ginebra endured a tough struggle almost throughout and banked on big defensive efforts at endgame to stop Phoenix Pulse, 100-97, later in the night.

With the Kings ahead by just a point at 98-97, Scottie Thompson took a steal then Japeth Aguilar blocked a shot by Calvin Abueva, as Ginebra improved to 4-3 while stalling Phoenix at 8-2.

The Fuel Masters have another shot at a Top Two Finish versus the Beermen Saturday in Panabo, Davao del Norte.

NOTES: Arwind Santos has become only the eighth player in PBA history to score at least 800 blocks, joining the elite group legends Mon Fernandez, Abet Guidaben, Philip Cezar, Benjie Paras, Jerry Codinera, Marlou Aquino and Manny Victorino.

The scores: 

First Game

San Miguel 113 – Fajardo 40, Romeo 23, Lassiter 15, Santos 11, Nabong 11, Ross 9, Rosser 4, Cabagnot 0, Pessumal 0.

NorthPort 107 – Tautuaa 28, Anthony 16, Bolick 12, Grey 12, Taha 11, Elorde 11, Pringle 10, Lanete 5, Guinto 2, Gabayni 0, Sollano 0.

Quarterscores: 21-25, 50-54, 84-77, 113-107

Second Game

Ginebra 100 – Tenorio 23, Mariano 20, Slaughter 18, Chan 13, Aguilar 11, Thompson 5, Cruz 4, Dela Cruz 4, Mercado 2, Caperal 0, Ferrer 0.

Phoenix 97 – Abueva 15, Kramer 14, Jazul 13, Chua 13, Wright 10, Marcelo 10, Perkins 9, Mallari 9, Revilla 2, Mendoza 2.

Quarterscores: 18-24, 40-46, 72-76, 100-97