June Mar suits up as SMB wins
Game Today (Legazpi City, Albay) 5 p.m. – Alaska vs TNT KaTropa
June Mar Fajardo had 12 points, four rebounds, two assists and two blocks less than 24 hours after representing the country as the San Miguel Beermen (SMB) secured a playoff berth with a 114-108 victory over the NLEX Road Warriors last night in the PBA Commissioner's Cup at the Cuneta Astrodome.
The three-time reigning Most Valuable Player logged 30 minutes, more than doubling his average in the just-concluded SEABA Championship where he helped Gilas Pilipinas capture the title via a six-game sweep at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
Fajardo fouled out with over two minutes left in the fourth, much to his surprise considering he committed all of his six in the second half. But he's more than happy to have a hand in the Beermen's sixth victory in seven games.
“Hindi naman kami masyadong pagod sa SEABA, although medyo nanibago ako sa laro dito sa PBA dahil sa SEABA mabilis,” Fajardo said after the game.
Coach Leo Austria was grateful to have Fajardo back after the Beermen absorbed their first loss of the conference against TNT KaTropa last May 5, while slated to take on Barangay Ginebra San Miguel in a marquee encounter tomorrow night at the nearby Mall of Asia Arena.
“That is why I'm happy to see June Mar back in the lineup, saludo ako sa kanyang professionalism,” Austria said. “Although alam naman natin na he really played hard dito sa SEABA, even though limited ang kanyang playing time, but he needs to play dahil after all, ito ang mother team niya.”
Import Charles Rhodes had 37 points, including several dunks that highlighted another one-sided performance by the Beermen, who led by a high of 24 points late in the third quarter before weathering a last-ditch comeback attempt by the Road Warriors.
Chris Ross was one of five local players in double figures with 15 points aside from 11 assists, seven rebounds and four steals for the Beermen.
In the second game, Rain or Shine came back from a 16-point deficit to stun Barangay Ginebra, 118-112, with import Duke Crews putting an imprint in his first game since replacing Shawn Taggart.
Crews, who played for the Elasto Painters in the 2011 Commissioner's Cup, finished with 28 points and 22 rebounds as the squad of coach Caloy Garcia improved to 5-4.
Ginebra dropped to fourth place at 5-2 despite taking a 111-109 lead on Justin Brownlee's three. Rain or Shine's Jay Washington hit three of four free throws that put his team ahead for good.
Rhodes 37, Ross 15, Santos 13, Cabagnot 12, Lassiter 12, Fajardo 12, Espinas 8, Heruela 5, Reyes 0, Agovida 0. Chism 22, Al-Hussaini 18, Quinahan 12, Lastimosa 12, Mallari 11, Tiongson 10, Alas 9, Rios 7, Baracael 5, Soyud 2, Taulava 0, Ighalo 0. Quarters: 36-22; 60-43; 89-73; 114-108.
– Crews 28, Cruz 19, Washington 16, Yap 15, Ponferada 11, Cahn 8, Tiu 6, Belga 6, Trollano 6, Ahanmisi 2, Norwood 1, Tolomia 0, Matias 0.
– Brownlee 38, Devance 19, Aguilar 15, Thompson 10, Ellis 9, Ferrer 6, Caguioa 6, Mercado 5, Tenorio 4. 112.Quarters: 24-31; 56-59; 83-93; 118-