Fajardo powers SMB over Northport, clinches quarterfinal spot
Credit to Author: JOSEF T. RAMOS, TMT| Date: Sun, 10 Mar 2019 12:51:00 +0000
REIGNING five-time Most Valuable Player June Mar Fajardo powered defending champion San Miguel Beer to a 113-107 win over Northport on Sunday to clinch a quarterfinal berth in Season 44 of the Philippine Basketball Association Philippine Cup at the Araneta Coliseum.
The 6’10 behemoth showed the way by piling up 28 of his 40 points in the final two quarters in addition to his 19 rebounds to hand the Beermen their sixth win after nine games for solo third place.
“The rest helped me a lot after our international games, I think. Coach (Austria) gave me one week rest,” said Fajardo, referring to the Philippine team’s stint in the International Basketball Federation (FIBA) Asian qualifiers recently in Qatar and Kazakhstan.
After a terrible first half where the Batang Pier established an 18-4 lead in the first quarter, the Beermen turned the tables around as they built their biggest advantage, 83-68, late in the third period.
They managed to hang on the rest of the fourth quarter as they continuously frustrated the Batang Pier.
“It was a scary start for us. Fortunately, the sense of urgency prevailed and they know the importance of this game. We are still on track of achieving our goal of making it to the top two,” said San Miguel Beer coach Leo Austria.
Terrence Romeo scattered 23 points against his former team while Marcio Lassiter added 15 points. Arwind Santos and Kelly Nabong contributed 11 points also for the Beermen.
Santos became the eighth player in league history to register 800 blocks but first among active players. The other seven players were Mon Fernandez, Philip Cezar, Abet Guidaben, Manny Victorino, Benjie Paras, Jerry Codiñera and Marlou Aquino.
It was also the 23rd straight Philippine Cup playoffs appearance for the Beermen.
Mo Tautuaa led Northport with 28 points and 13 rebounds. The Batang Pier suffered its fifth consecutive loss for a 2-5 win-loss record.
Scores:
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.
Quarters: 21-25, 50-54, 84-77, 113-107.
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