By REYNALD MAGALLON
June Mar Fajardo flirted with a triple-double as San Miguel Beer survived a huge scare from Terrafirma by pulling off a nail-biting 109-108 overtime win to clinch the top seed and claim one of the two twice-to-beat incentives in the quarterfinals in the 2022 PBA Philippine Cup on Thursday, July 14
Fajardo came an assist shy of a triple-double feat at the Araneta Coliseum although he managed to reset his career-high with nine assists.
The 6-foot-10 behemoth also had 26 points and 10 rebounds but had to take charge in the extra period to shake off a gritty Dyip side, who despite being winless, stood ground against the league leading SMB.
Fajardo dropped nine of his total in overtime, including the completed a three-point play with 19 seconds left to frustrate the Dyip and record their ninth win in 10 games.
SMB did that even without head coach Leo Austria who was under health and safety protocol as well as Jericho Cruz who had been leading the way for the Beermen in their last two games.
Marcio Lassiter stepped up and broke out of his personal slump with 23 points while CJ Perez added 20. Von Pessumal and Mo Tautuaa also breached the double-digit mark with 13 and 10 respectively
Meantime, Kevin Ferrer steadied the ship in endgame as NorthPort finally overcame the turbulent waters and pulled off a pulsating 95-92 win over Phoenix in the second game.
Ferrer drained a huge left corner triple off a nice pass from Roi Sumang to beat the shot clock and give the Batang Pier a four-point cushion, 94-90, with 1:16 left. NorthPort then held on with its solid defense in the waning seconds to arrest its six-game losing streak and keep its shot for a playoff spot alive with their 3-6 record.
The clutch triple capped off a splendid night for Ferrer who finished with 18 points built on five triples. Sumang provided support with 18 of his own while the returning Robert Bolick chipped in 17 off the bench.
After getting thrown out the last game, Jamie Malonzo added 16 while Arwind Santos continued to provide the steady presence on both ends of the floor with 13 points, seven rebounds, three blocks and two steals.
The scores:
First Game
SAN MIGUEL 109 – Fajardo 26, Lassiter 23, Perez 20, Pessumal 13, Tautuaa 10, Zamar 9, Brondial 6, Canete 2, Enciso 0, Manuel 0.
TERRAFIRMA 108 – Camson 20, Calvo 19, Gomez de Liano 19, Cahilig 17, Mina 13, Ramos 8, Gabayni 7, Tiongson 3, Tumalip 2, Enriquez 0, Balagasay 0.
Quarters: 23-19, 47-43, 74-68, 98-98, 109-108.
Second Game
NORTHPORT 95 – Sumang 18, Ferrer 18, Bolick 17, Malonzo 16, Santos 13, Balanza 6, Ayaay 5, Calma 2, Taha 0, Dela Cruz 0.
PHOENIX 92 – Wright 20, Anthony 17, Tio 15, Mocon 14, Lalata 12, Perkins 9, Jazul 3, Rios 2, Muyang 0, Garcia 0, Pascual 0, Serrano 0.
Quarters: 21-28, 44-45, 69-71, 95-92.
