June Mar Fajardo delivered a big game in San Miguel's first match against Phoenix in the PBA's import-spiced Governors' Cup on Wednesday, Aug. 21.
June Mar Fajardo played as if he were the import as San Miguel turned back Phoenix, 111-107, in the PBA Season 49 Governors’ Cup on Wednesday, August 21.
Fresh from winning a record-extending eighth Most Valuable Player plum, Fajardo submitted a 37-point game on 14-of-18 shooting from the field that went with a whopping 24 rebounds.
[RELATED STORY: 'Still the same June Mar': Former UC official shares what makes PBA 8-time MVP Fajardo special]
But it was CJ Perez who made the shot that proved to be the difference as he uncorked a step-back four-pointer in the face of Jvee Mocon to give the Beermen a 110-105 cushion with 56.6 ticks left in the game.
Phoenix refused to fold, with Jason Perkins canning a pair of free throws to close in, 110-107.
The Fuel Masters had a legitimate chance to tie or snatch the game from the Beermen.
[ALSO READ: PBA: Scotty Hopson erupts with 46 points as Converge pummels Christian Standhardinger, Terrafirma]
Ricci Rivero, who scored 11 points in the fourth period, went for the four-pointer in their ensuing possession but it went short.
Fajardo, the pride of Pinamungajan, Cebu, then put the finishing touches with a split as Tyler Tio heaved a Hail Mary that sailed way off.
“We’re kind of rusty. But in the end, the guys just wanted to win. They played [with] extra effort in the last five minutes when Phoenix was trying to catch up,” said SMB coach Jorge Gallent.
Adams had a quiet 24 points, including 10 in the fourth period, nine rebounds, four assists and four steals in his debut with the Beermen.
Perez added 21 points, including the lone four-point field goal for San Miguel. He also had four rebounds and two assists.
Meanwhile, Perkins saw an 18-point outing go down the drain as the Fuel Masters fell short in their comeback from as much as 13 points down.
Rivero had 15 points, three rebounds, and three assists, while import Jayveous McKinnis put up a double-double with 13 markers and 15 boards.