PBA: Fajardo-less SMB takes down NLEX to boost playoff position

By Leobert Julian A. de la Peña

No June Mar Fajardo, no problem.

In a bid to finish their playoff push with a winning streak, the San Miguel Beermen fired from all cylinders to fend off the tough NLEX Road Warriors, 120-106, in the PBA Governor’s Cup last March 15, 2023, held at the Philsports Arena in Pasig.

Despite the absence of their superstar center Fajardo who will be out for at least six weeks due to a torn MCL injury, the Beermen still weathered the storm and are now placed second in the standings with an 8-2 win-loss record.

Cameron Clark was a man on a mission for SMB and brought his hot-shooting from the EASL Champions Week when he ended with a career-high 45 points and 17 rebounds.

Clark was unstoppable from the first quarter to the last stretch as the bruising SMB import bullied his way into the shaded lane and shot an efficient percentage from the perimeter area.

When NLEX got back into the ball game by trimming their 21-point deficit to just five points, 109-104, Clark answered the call for the Beermen and sucked the life out of the Road Warriors after hitting back-to-back baskets to restore order.

Backstopping Clark was shooting guard CJ Perez who joined hands with him in the last three minutes of the game to put NLEX away for good.

The current Gilas Pilipinas national team staple member contributed 23 markers including a series of fast break layups that ballooned SMB’s lead back to double-digits with only a minute remaining in the back-and-forth.

Also stepping up for the Beermen is Jericho Cruz who remained to be one of their most consistent bucket-getters in the import-laced conference.

The physical slashing guard chipped in 16 points with most of them from the second half while newly-acquired Allyn Bulanadi added 14 markers.

Meanwhile, the Road Warriors’ loss dropped them to the sixth spot which means that their hopes of a twice-to-beat advantage in the playoffs are now gone.

Wayne Selden Jr. led all NLEX scorers with 32 points while Brandon Ganuelas-Rosser provided 29 points in the losing effort.