Monster numbers: Fajardo dominates as Beermen tie semis series

June Mar Fajardo had another 20-20 night.

But this time, the behemoth’s effort resulted in an all-important win as San Miguel Beer beat Barangay Ginebra, 93-84, in Game 2 to level the best-of-seven Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) Season 50 Philippine Cup semifinals on Wednesday at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.

The 6-foot-10 center scored 16 of his 21 points in the second half and pulled down 23 rebounds in more than 44 minutes of action for the Beermen, who fought back from an early 11-point deficit to complete a bounce-back win.

San Miguel will try to bring the momentum of ending the King’s eight-game winning streak in Game 3 on Friday.

“It’s a good thing we were able to tie the series, 1-1, because it’s hard to come back if we go 0-2. Although before, we were able to do that. But this time it’s really hard against a team like Ginebra because they’re playing really well,” Beermen head coach Leo Austria said.

San Miguel bounced back from a sorry, 90-99, loss in the series opener last Sunday with Fajardo’s 27 points and 23 boards going down the drain.

This time the nine-time Most Valuable Player had a lot of help with the Beermen bench led by Jeron Teng pouring 44 points compared to just 29 in Game 1.

Teng, who didn’t see action in the first game, delivered 12 of his 13 points in the final period, sparking San Miguel’s turnaround.

Don Trollano, who was limited to just five points in Game 1, added 12 points and five boards while CJ Perez and Jericho Cruz submitted 11 points each.     

Trailing for majority of the ball game, San Miguel outworked Ginebra, 31-21, in the third period to enter the final canto with a 65-63 advantage.

The Beermen extended their cushion, 80-71, with 6:44 left from Teng’s six straight points.

Fajardo completed a three-point play to give San Miguel its biggest separation, 91-79, with 2:56 remaining.

“What happened in the fourth quarter was pure guts for Jeron. In the first game I wasn’t able to use him because something was in my mind. I felt guilty for not fielding him in the first game. But I told him during practice to be ready,” Austria said.    

Stephen Holt got 18 points to pace the Kings, who snapped the Beermen’s 10-game winning romp in their first meeting.

RJ Abarrientos submitted 18 points while Norbert Torres had 10 points. Scottie Thompson was limited to just nine points after scoring 22 in Game 1 and Troy Rosario put up nine markers and nine rebounds for Ginebra.