San Miguel checked a two-game slide after notching a thrilling win over erstwhile unbeaten Rain or Shine in the PBA Season 49 Governors' Cup on Thursday, Sept. 5.
June Mar Fajardo nailed the game-winning jumper as San Miguel survived Rain or Shine, 113-112, in the PBA Season 49 Governors’ Cup on Thursday, Sept. 5.
The Beermen improved to 3-2 to end the first round of eliminations and dealt Rain or Shine its first loss in five games.
“Wala na. Kailangan nang itira, eh. Dying seconds na,” said Fajardo.
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Fajardo, who finished with 27 points and 21 rebounds, nailed his shot at the buzzer after Rain or Shine rookie Felix Lemetti canned four pressure-packed free throws to take a 112-111 lead with only three seconds left to play.
That little time was enough for CJ Perez to bring the ball to the middle in transition and dish it to a streaking Fajardo, who then sank the jumper on top of the key over Gian Mamuyac.
“Kailangan namin 'yung panalong 'to, eh. Kasi 'pag natalo kami, 2-3, medyo mahirap na 'yun para sa amin. Buti nakuha namin 'yung panalong 'to,” Fajardo added.
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It was Jordan Adams who topscored for the Beermen with 41 on top of six rebounds and five assists.
Perez and Jericho Cruz added 10 points each.
“Credit din sa mga teammates ko. Nag-step up kaming lahat noong crucial minutes,” the eight-time MVP from Pinamungajan, Cebu said.
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Lemetti, meanwhile, finished with 28 points built on five triples and a four-pointer for the Elasto Painters, who clawed back from as many as 10 points down and went on to make a battle out of it in the final minutes.
Adams’ free throws gave San Miguel a 103-95 lead with 3:19 remaining.
But Rain or Shine refused to fold.
The Elasto Painters strung together eight straight points anchored on Lemetti’s shot from 27-feet to tie it up at 105-all.
It was a seesaw battle from there, with Adams allowing the Beermen some breather with another pair of free throws for a 111-108 lead.
With only 6.8 seconds remaining, the Fil-Swedish Lemetti tried to elude Chris Ross' defense.
And when the latter was about to reach in for a strategic foul, the rookie launched a four-point attempt.
Lemetti made all four shots from the foul line, but Fajardo broke Rain or Shine’s hearts with the game-winner.
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The Scores:
SMB 113 – Adams 41, Fajardo 27, Perez 10, Cruz 10, Trollano 9, Lassiter 6, Tautuaa 4, Romeo 4, Rosales 2, Ross 0.
ROS 112 – Pangilinan-Lemetti 28, Fuller 24, Nocum 21, mamuyac 12, Datu 10, Caracut 6, Clarito 4, Santillan 3, Belga 2, Norwood 2.
Quarterscores: 33-28, 55-53, 86-80, 113-112