June Mar Fajardo dropped a 20-20 performance for San Miguel as it sent off Terrafirma in their PBA Season 48 Philippine Cup quarterfinal clash.
San Miguel superstar June Mar Fajardo has proven time and again that he is a thorn in the side of PBA teams since the Cebuano behemoth joined the league in 2012.
Just ask Terrafirma leader Juami Tiongson.
Tiongson and the rest of the Dyip are the latest casualties of the explosion of The Kraken, winner of seven Most Valuable Player trophies.
San Miguel seven-time MVP June Mar Fajardo gives Terrafirma a reality check in their quarterfinal duel Wednesday night, May 15. | Photo (c) PBA
[WATCH: PBA Player of the Game Highlights: June Mar Fajardo dominates vs. Terrafirma, sends San Miguel to semis]
Fajardo had a field day on Wednesday, May 15, putting up a tour-de-force performance with 25 points and 22 rebounds for the Beermen to end Terrafirma's dream run with a 110-91 win at the Ninoy Aquino Stadium.
When asked what spelled doom for the Dyip, Tiongson could only say one name.
“June Mar. Simple answer,” Tiongson said with a hearty laugh.
“There’s no one that can stop or handle June Mar. Mahirap talaga, eh.”
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But what made San Miguel even deadlier is its loaded lineup coach Jorge Gallent tagged the “Death 15.”
“Tapos may CJ Perez ka pa, may Terrence Romeo ka pa. May Jericho pa off the bench, Don T (Trollano). Sobrang loaded ng team,” he added.
“Not to mention si C Ross (Chris Ross), grabe ang depensa sa'kin. Credit to the team. Sobrang galing talaga nila.”
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Still, Tiongson remains proud of what Terrafirma has accomplished.
Apart from reaching the five-win milestone at the end of the elimination round this conference, Terrafirma also notched its first franchise win in the playoffs when it nearly stripped the Beermen of its win-once bonus.
The Dyip’s seven wins, including the knockout match for the No. 8 spot in the quarterfinals against NorthPort, was the most by the team in a conference, according to PBA chief statistician Fidel Mangonon.
That is why the former Ateneo standout is hopeful this could be the start of the quest of slowly wiping out the losers tag that has long entailed the franchise.
“To get us to this point, malaking bagay na 'to. We were able to achieve our goal na to make the playoffs,” said Tiongson.
“Pero gusto ko sanang makapag-semis, eh, to be a little greedy. Pero that's why SMB is the champion. The way they responded, that's how a championship team should respond.”