Beermen repel Floodbusters for share of lead
San Miguel Beermen's JuneMar Fajardo during their game against the pesky Mahindra FLoodbusters. | PBA Media Bureau
MANILA, Philippines — The San Miguel Beermen bucked a slow start to upend the Mahindra Floodbuster, 94-91, in the first game of Sunday’s PBA action at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
Alex Mallari, who led Mahindra in scoring, had a chance to force overtime in the dying seconds but was unable to drill the 3-pointer.
June Mar Fajardo finished with 28 points to pace the Beermen while Arwind Santos and Alex Cabagnot combined for 23.
“Next time, we can’t afford a game like this. We were complacent,” said San Miguel coach Leo Austria.
San Miguel trailed by as much as 13 points in the game, but it was the three-time Most Valuable Player’s second period exploits that helped the Beermen dig themselves out of a rut.
Fajardo also scored his fourth double-double of the season after hauling 15 rebounds.
Mallari finished with 21 points. Joseph Eriobu chimed in 17 markers in the best game of his rookie season so far.
“They have nothing to lose and everything to gain,” Austria said of Mahindra, which dropped to 0-4. “Plus marami sa kanila came from San Miguel”
The defending Philippine Cup champions move to 3-1 and share the top spot with Rain or Shine.
The scores:
SAN MIGUEL 94 - Fajardo 28, Santos 18, Cabagnot 15, Tubid 10, Garcia 9, Lassiter 8, Ross 4, Espinas 2, Agovida 0, Reyes 0, McCarthy 0, De Ocampo 0.
MAHINDRA 91 - Mallari 21, Eriobu 17, Revilla 15, Escoto 10, Yee 8, Ballesteros 5, Digregorio 3, Guevarra 3, Teng 3, Paniamogan 2, Salva 2, Arana 2, Celda 0, Webb 0.
Quarterscores: 26-15, 47-49, 71-66, 94-91
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