Fajardo’s resurgence steers SMB to a series-tying win over GSM

By Leobert Julian A. de la Peña

Down 1-2 in a PBA semifinal series, who else would you expect to dominate for the San Miguel Beermen side?

Limited to just a disappointing 12-point performance during the past outing, eight-time Most Valuable Player (MVP) June Mar Fajardo turned it up and led San Miguel to a Game 4 victory over the Barangay Ginebra San Miguel, 131-121, in the ongoing PBA Governor’s Cup semifinals on October 16, 2024.

Fajardo imposed his will in the shaded lane and quickly buckled to work in the first half, finishing the crucial Game 4 win with a dominant stat-line of 29 points, 16 rebounds, and three assists.

The towering behemoth was unstoppable in the paint and only tallied three misses out of his 15 total attempts from the field as he schooled every defender that Ginebra head coach Tim Cone threw at him.

From the opening tip, the Beermen immediately went to their big man, feeding him at the post while paying off the trust of his team with four quick converted baskets.

Just like what they say, if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it.

With Fajardo’s efficient outing leading San Miguel to a positive start, the coaching staff just ran most of their plays to him, either in a pick-and-roll set or a high-low post action that allowed the superstar to take over in the game.

However, the Beermen had to endure Ginebra’s resident import Justin Brownlee who was also having a monster game, wrapping up the loss with a 49-point explosion.

Unfortunately for the Gin Kings, the Beermen always had answers to every bucket that Brownlee made, as SMB import EJ Anosike also came alive in the second half.

Anosike started what Fajardo kicked off and helped San Miguel protect their lead in the last two quarters with his signature bully ball underneath.

As a result of the Anosike-Fajardo connection, the Ginebra defense suddenly became confused and had a huge difficulty in covering the front court mammoths of the Beermen.

Coach Cone deployed a risky defensive adjustment in the fourth by sending quick doubles to Fajardo and Anosike but that move didn’t turn out so well as it freed up SMB’s shooters led by veteran marksman Marcio Lassiter who chipped in 15 points in the game.

CJ Perez also stepped up when the Beermen needed him the most, firing 20 markers alongside seven assists, six rebounds, and two steals.

Anosike maintained his high-level play for San Miguel and added an all-around outing of 27 points, 11 boards, and three dimes.

San Miguel will aim for a back-to-back win and grab the PBA semis series lead today, in the first game of the scheduled playoff doubleheader.