In the PBA Season 48 Philippine Cup semifinals, San Miguel defeated Rain or Shine, 106-89, on Sunday at the SM Mall of Asia Arena, taking a 2-0 lead thanks to June Mar Fajardo once more.

In the third quarter, when the Beermen blew the game wide open to defeat the Elasto Painters in Game Two, Fajardo scored eighteen of his twenty-two points.
On Wednesday, the Beermen will try to take a decisive lead in the best-of-seven semifinal series in Cavite’s Dasmariñas Arena.

Similar to the first game, Rain or Shine was unable to stop Fajardo, who scored the majority of his points at the post in the third quarter, which helped San Miguel score 35 points.

After going 23 points and pulling down 11 rebounds in the series opener, Fajardo’s performance was a major improvement.

Despite the seven-time PBA MVP’s performance, San Miguel coach Jorge Gallent was happy with his team’s ability to stop Rain or Shine from using its advantages, as the Elasto Painters were only able to score seven fastbreak points.

The Elasto Painters were only behind by four points at one point during the third quarter, but the Beermen closed the quarter on a 15-2 run to extend their lead to 88-73.

Terrence Romeo added 16 points and CJ Perez added 19 points and 11 rebounds to help the Beermen win, leading by as much as 19 points at one point.

Adrian Nocum scored 17 points, while Anton Asistio scored 20. Even though Rain or Shine was losing, five players were in double figures.

The Scores

San Miguel 106 – Fajardo 22, Perez 19, Romeo 16, Lassiter 13, Trollano 10, Ross 9, Cruz 9, Tautuaa 4, Brondial 4, Enciso 0, Teng 0, Manuel 0.

Rain or Shine 89 – Asistio 20, Nocum 17, Mamuyac 14, Datu 12, Belga 11, Santillan 5, Caracut 4, Clarito 4, Norwood 2, Ildefonso 0, Borboran 0, Paredes 0, Belo 0.

Quarter scores: 23-21; 53-45; 88-71; 106-89.

Meanwhile, Tim Cone emphasized that rather than depending entirely on Christian Standhardinger, the Barangay Ginebra team should contribute as well.

In Game 2, the Ginebra coach emphasized Meralco’s successful strategy. The Bolts won 103-91 to tie their PBA Philippine Cup semifinal series.

In an incredible performance, Standhardinger scored 41 points on 13 of 17 field goals, a career-high. Only two more Kings succeeded him in reaching double figures.

Cone claims that this is the root of the issue.

Only Stanley Pringle and Maverick Ahanmisi scored goals for the Kings in the fourth quarter, when Standhardinger produced ten of his total output. With 14 and 13, respectively, the two Fil-Ams were the other players in double figures.

While fellow starters Scottie Thompson and Japeth Aguilar were restricted to a combined 13 points, rookie Ralph Cu, who finished with 18 points on 6-of-7 shooting from outside the arc in the Game 1 victory, was held to only six points.

When asked if he thought the 6-foot-8 Standhardinger would continue to score consistently in Game 3, the Ginebra coach replied that it would rely on the experienced Fil-German’s looks from the Bolts.

Up Next

Cavite’s Dasmarinas Arena will host Game 3.