Beermen rip Road Warriors apart

Games today (Smart Araneta Coliseum)

4:30 p.m. – Meralco vs Rain or Shine

6:45 p.m. – Ginebra vs Alaska

MANILA, Philippines — Before serving duty to Team Phl once again, June Mar Fajardo put up a big game with his mother ball club last night, leading the San Miguel Beermen to an outright playoff entry in the PBA Commissioner’s Cup.

Fajardo collected 30 points and 13 rebounds in a huge double-double outing, and drew tremendous help from the other SMB starters as they repulsed the NLEX Road Warriors, 125-114, in a Petron Blaze road showdown at the Calasiao Sports Center in Calasiao, Pangasinan.

Fajardo teamed up with Renaldo Balkman, Marcio Lassiter, Alex Cabagnot and Chris Ross in the SMB starting cast that walloped its NLEX counterparts, 110-78.

The Beermen established control in the second period then thwarted a series of NLEX fightbacks as San Miguel sustained its surge from a woeful 0-3 start in the midseason tourney.

San Miguel carries a 5-4 win-loss record going to a 10-day breather. The Beermen return to play versus the Blackwater Elite on July 4 at the MOA Arena before closing out their elims against the Magnolia Hotshots on July 7 at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.

Meanwhile, Rain or Shine clashes with Meralco while Barangay Ginebra collides with Alaska Milk in a crucial double-header tonight at the Big Dome before the league once again gives way to Gilas Pilipinas’ two games in the third window of the FIBA World Cup qualifiers.

The E-Painters shoot for the top seeding in the playoffs as they seek a ninth win against a lone defeat versus the Bolts.

The Aces seek to firm up a spot at second place while Gin Kings chase a fourth straight win for an outright playoff entry as they slug it out at 6:45 p.m.

“Ginebra is playing great basketball right now and I feel like it will be a playoff atmosphere. We are excited for the game and hoping the PBA fans are thoroughly entertained,” said Alaska coach Alex Compton.

“Tough game, tough opponent, and so crucial for both teams,” said Ginebra coach Tim Cone.

“Alaska has had a brilliant conference. If we had the choice, we could think of a few other teams we’d rather be playing so that we can make that Top Six. But we don’t, so Alaska it is. It’s going to be a terrific battle,” Cone added.

The scores:

San Miguel 125 -- Fajardo 30, Lassiter 26, Balkman 25, Cabagnot 17, Ross 12, Heruela 4, Santos 4, Rosser 3, Mamaril 2, Nabong 2, Pessumal 0.

NLEX 114 -- Moultrie 43, Taulava 18, Tiongson 8, Baguio 7, Ighalo 6, Quiñahan 6, Tallo 6, Uyloan 5, Rios 5, Soyud 5, Buenafe 3, Gotladera 2, Marcelo 0.

Quarterscores: 31-34, 65-55, 97-85, 125-114