Author: Martin Bolima
Photo Credit: PBA Images
June Mar Fajardo is widely considered the GOAT of Philippine basketball.
On Sunday night, the eight-time MVP proved it unequivocally, posting a monster 40-point, 24-rebound masterpiece to tow the San Miguel Beermen past the Converge FiberXers, 109-105, in Game 5 of their best-of-five quarterfinals series at the Ynares Center in Antipolo.
With Converge racing out to an early 34-22 first-quarter advantage, the 6-foot-10 behemoth started going to work in the second period, asserting his will in the paint against an overmatched FiberXer frontcourt. In all, Fajardo cut loose for 18 points in the second frame to help the Beermen inch closer, 57-54, entering halftime.
Fajardo Dominates as San Miguel Overcomes Converge’s Resilience
San Miguel, though, just could not shake off the pesky, confident FiberXers, who kept matching the Beermen point for point throughout the second half, where they held the lead most of the way. But Converge did not have an answer for Fajardo, who added 18 more points after halftime—including six in a 10-0 fourth-quarter run that turned a 99-91 deficit into a 101-99 lead, with time down to 4:25.
Converge grabbed the lead back with a corner three from ageless veteran Alex Cabagnot, but a 5-0 spurt from the Beermen—an undergoal stab by import EJ Anosike and a triple by Marcio Lassiter—gave the lead back to San Miguel, 106-102, this time for good.
Fajardo, who is also leading the PBA Governors’ Cup Best Player of the Conference Race, finished with game-highs of 40 points and 24 rebounds. Jalen Jones paced Converge with 29 markers.
With the win, San Miguel arranged a semis duel with Barangay Ginebra San Miguel, who booked their seat to the next round with a clean sweep of the Meralco Bolts.
The PBA Governors’ Cup semifinals will start on Wednesday, October 9, at the PhilSports Arena. San Miguel will take on Ginebra in the first game, while TNT Tropang Giga will square off against the Rain or Shine Elasto Painters.
The Scores:
- SAN MIGUEL 109 – Fajardo 40, Anosike 23, Perez 10, Rosales 9, Trollano 7, Lassiter 6, Cruz 6, Tautuaa 5, Romeo 3
- CONVERGE 105 – Jones 29, Stockton 22, Santos 16, Cabagnot 14, Winston 8, Arana 8, Delos Santos 4, Nieto 2, Caralipio 2
