Fajardo, Cruz power SMB’s domination of Terrafirma

Six-time Most Valuable Player June Mar Fajardo picked up from where he left off and immediately made his presence felt.

The 6-foot-10 slotman finished with a near double-double on his return from a throat surgery, as the rest of the Beermen dealt an importless Terrafirma a 131-103 whipping in the Philippine Basketball Association Commissioner's Cup on 23 November at the Philsports Arena.

Fajardo — deprived of an opportunity to play for Gilas Pilipinas in the fifth window of the FIBA World Cup Asian Qualifiers, and missing seven games of the elimination round for the Beermen — didn't show signs of slowing down.

He pumped in 20 points on top of nine rebounds.

But his recovery from injury was overshadowed by the step-up performance of Jericho Cruz, who knocked in 25 points, including five straight three-point shots in the second quarter to set the tone for the rout.

The Dyip, who just ended their 25-game losing skid in the previous match against NLEX, played without import Lester Prosper, who was placed under health and safety protocols.

The Scores:

SAN MIGUEL 131– Cruz 25, Scott 21, Fajardo 20, Manuel 19, Perez 12, Zzamar 8, Enciso 5, Herndon 5, Ross 4, Brondial 4, Faundo 2, Lassiter 1

TERRAFIRMA 103 – Tiongson 28, Gomez de Liano 17, Mina 15, Ramos 8, Munzon 8, Camson 7, Javelona 6, Gabayni 5, Alolino 4, Balagasay 3, Grospe 2, Cahilig 0

QUARTERS: 29-19, 63-38, 96-67, 131-103