San Miguel will only welcome back June Mar Fajardo in the upcoming PBA Season 48 Commissioner’s Cup once the doctors give the all-clear.

If cleared, Coach Jorge Gallent stated that the seven-time MVP might participate in their last elimination round matchup against Blackwater on January 12.

Soon after the Beermen defeated Terrafirma 132-110 on Sunday at the SMART Araneta Coliseum—their sixth straight game without the 6-foot-10 slotman’s services—Gallent made this statement.

Since breaking his hand during their game against Rain or Shine on November 29, also in the Big Dome, Fajardo has been sidelined.

However, given that San Miguel just moved their star player from the injured/reserve list to the active roster last Friday, he might be back in action shortly.

The star from Cebu was dressed in full for Sunday’s match against the Dyip, despite not participating in the contest where Bennie Boatwright scored 51 points to assist the defending champions in increasing their chances of finishing in the top four.

SMB, who have won four in a row, would undoubtedly welcome him back before the playoffs. However, it also depends on the advice of the medical professionals.

With a scorching 51 points and 12 rebounds, the former G-League big man elevated the Beermen’s record to 7-3 and helped them win four straight games.

They were also able to move up to alone fourth in the current standings thanks to the victory.

SMB defeated Ginebra (6-3), but the defending champions still have a chance to share the fourth slot when they play NorthPort later in the evening.

San Miguel started to gain momentum in the second half after Boatwright had already scored 34 points in the first half.

In the following session, they then broke away to hand Dyip their eighth straight loss.

With 3:16 remaining, he made a three-pointer to surpass the 50-point threshold and increase their lead to 124-106. Not long after, he was benched permanently.

According to PBA statistics chief Fidel Mangonon III, the 27-year-old finished with the highest points by a Beerman since Shabazz Muhammad scored 57 in a 115-110 victory over Meralco in the 2021–22 Governors’ Cup eliminations.

In the victory, four more players scored in double figures. The team’s native player, Don Trollano, led the way with 22 points, seven rebounds, and four assists.

Terrence Romeo contributed 12 points and seven assists, while Mo Tautua’a and CJ Perez combined for 13 of the team’s 53 rebounds.

However, Javi Gomez de Liano led Terrafirma, who fell to 2-8 with the defeat, with 26 points, seven rebounds, and four assists.

With 17 points and 17 rebounds, Thomas de Thaey finished. Along with Juami Tiongson’s 17 points, Eric Camson and Stephen Holt contributed 11 and 13, respectively.

On January 12, the Dyip will attempt to cap out their conference with a victory over the 7-2 Meralco. The game begins at 8:00 p.m.

The Scores

San Miguel 132 – Boatwright 51, Trollano 22, Tautuaa 16, Perez 16, Romeo 12, Lassiter 6, Cruz 6, Brondial 2, Ross 1, Teng 0.

Terrafirma 110 – Gomez de Liano 26, De Thaey 17, Tiongson 17, Holt 13, Camson 11, Sangalang 6, Cahilig 6, Carino 6, Miller 4, Alolino 4, Go 0, Ramos 0.

Quarter scores: 33-30, 67-60, 103-91, 132-110.