SAN Miguel Beer refused to fall victim to winless Terrafirma and achieved an immediate target last night.
Prized center June Mar Fajardo completed a crucial three-point play with 19.6 seconds remaining, lifting the Beermen to a nail-biting 109-108 overtime squeaker over the hapless Dyip for their ninth straight win and clinched the top seed in the quarterfinals of the PBA Philippine Cup at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
After Fajardo’s and-one, Terrafirma still had a glimmer of hope in its upset try but Javi Gomez de Liaño missed on a drive that sealed SMB’s ninth victory in 10 matches, including a similarly close 110-107 decision over Blackwater in another overtime five days ago.
The Dyip remained winless in nine outings and failed to rebound from an 83-104 defeat to Magnolia last Friday.
Fajardo wound up an assist shy of a triple double, powering his way to a game-high 26 points, to go with 10 rebounds, and nine dimes for the Beermen, who missed coach Leo Austria and guards Jericho Cruz and Rob Herndon due to health and safety protocols.
Marcio Lassiter provided ample help with 23 markers on four three-pointers, seven boards, and eight feeds, while CJ Perez had 20 and five for SMB.
Von Pessumal and Mo Tautuaa also added 13 and 10 points, respectively, for the Beermen.
Assistant coach Jorge Gallent called the shots for SMB and said the team got rewarded by turning to the 6-foot-10 former six-time MVP.
“There’s not much adjustment because we just followed our basic rules on offense and defense. We just did what we are doing in our past 10 games,” Gallent said.
“If you have a June Mar Fajardo and you don’t pass him the ball in the endgame, there’s something wrong with you. You just have to give him the ball and he was just one assist short of a triple double. If he’s being doubled, he passes the ball. He’s not a selfish guy who will force his shots,” he added.
The Beermen took a 47-43 lead at the half and a 74-68 buffer going into the payoff period.
JP Calvo boomed in two straight triples that erased SMB’s 98-92 cushion, the last trey forging a 98-all count with 34.4 to go in the fourth.
Fajardo missed on a short stab in the ensuing play, but Aldrech Ramos’ triple attempt did not hit the rim at the buzzer.
Allen Mina’s two free throws gave Terrafirma a 108-106 edge, only 43.0 ticks left before Fajardo’s heroics.
The loss put to naught Eric Camson’s 20-point game for the Dyip, while Calvo, Gomez de Liaño had 19 markers each.
Andreas Cahilig and Allen Mina also added 17 and 13 points for Terrafirma, respectively.
