San Miguel used a strong third period anchored on June Mar Fajardo to beat Rain or Shine and stay unscathed two games into their best-of-seven semifinal series in the PBA Season 48 Philippine Cup.
June Mar Fajardo hardly broke a sweat as San Miguel disposed of Rain or Shine, 106-89, in the PBA Season 48 Philippine Cup semifinals at the Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay on Sunday, May 19.
Fajardo logged his 24th double-double of the season, coming through with 22 points and 10 rebounds as the Beermen gained a 2-0 upperhand in the best-of-seven series.
[RELATED STORY: PBA: June Mar Fajardo, San Miguel pip Rain or Shine, take opener of best-of-7 semis series]
San Miguel outscored the Elasto Painters, 35-26, in the third period to build a comfortable 88-71 cushion at the end of the frame.
Fajardo dropped 18 of his total output there.
San Miguel's June Mar Fajardo defends against Rain or Shine counterpart Beau Belga. | Photo (c) RM Chua
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CJ Perez also came up with his own double-double numbers of 19 points and 11 rebounds.
Terrence Romeo contributed 16 points, while Marcio Lassiter and Don Trollano added 13 and 10 markers, respectively, for the Beermen.
CJ Perez of San Miguel tries to break free from the defense of Rain or Shine's Andrei Caracut. | Photo (c) RM Chua
“We just got better getting back on defense (in the second half)... We’re getting good shots. That's why we're able to sprint back down and stop their fastbreak points which was our main concern in Game One,” said San Miguel coach Jorge Gallent.
Despite facing a seemingly insurmountable 19-point deficit with 7:33 left on the clock, Rain or Shine tried to mount a final uprising behind young guns Gian Mamuyac and Anton Asistio.
The duo instigated a mini 7-0 rally to cut the deficit to 84-96 heading into the last 3:46.
But it did not take long for the Beermen to break the drought.
Romeo drilled in a stepback jumper in response, and it was all San Miguel since then.
Asistio paced the Elasto Painters with 20 points built on four triples. Adrian Nocum scored 17, while Mamuyac and Keith Datu had 14 and 12 markers, respectively.
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
Quarterscores: 23-21, 53-45, 88-71, 106-89