Beermen oust Elite

JUNE MAR Fajardo (right) and San Miguel Beer survive Blackwater.

San Miguel Beer displayed its championship form as it clobbered Blackwater in overtime, 99-96, in the Philippine Basketball Association Governors’ Cup last night at the Cuneta Astrodome.

Import Dez Wells was not around, but it hardly mattered as June Mar Fajardo and Terrence Romeo carried the fight for the Beermen, who sent the Elite out of playoff contention.

Fajardo, the five-time Most Valuable Player, erupted for 30 points and 13 rebounds while Romeo chipped in 20 markers off the bench for the Beermen, who drew impressive performance from Arwind Santos to pump life into their campaign following back-to-back setbacks.

The Beermen now moved to fourth spot with a 6-3 win-los card and would enter their game against Rain or Shine oozing with momentum.

“It was nice to bounce back from two straight losses. Even though we had an ugly game against this team, for us a win is a win and we needed this win because it gives us a chance to get into the top four,” head coach Leo Austria said.

“In this game we have to realize that the next few games for us is very important and we should have a lot of energy and effort for us to get into the top four.”

With Wells sitting out his ankle injury, the Beermen took control and secured the lead, 88-79, in the final 2:25 mark of the fourth period off a three-pointer by Romeo.