Fajardo keys Beermen’s come-from-behind win over Texters

MANILA, Philippines – Junmar Fajardo defied Talk n Text’s tough helping defense in the most important part of the game, scoring 10 straight points in the crunch as the San Miguel Beermen warded off the Texters, 87-81, and took a 2-0 lead in their PBA Philippine Cup best-of-seven semifinal faceoff at the Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City Sunday night.

Struggling for just five points in the first 43 minutes of play, Fajardo delivered when he needed to in the last five minutes, converting a difficult reversed layup from a spin move then stringing up eight straight charities to bail the Beermen out of trouble.

Alex Cabagnot, Chris Lutz and Arwind Santos carried the cudgels early on before Fajardo took over at winning time as the Beermen made it two in a row following a dominant 109-86 win in the series opener.

“We knew they would bounce back, and it’s very evident. Their intensity level was notches higher, and we’re fortunate that we’re still able to pull through,” said San Miguel coach Leo Austria.

“They did a good job defending Junmar. But I have to give it to Junmar he still shone in the end,” Austria also said.

Facing Talk n Text’s double- and triple-teaming defense, Fajardo struggled with a 2-of-11 field clip but finished with 15 points with 11-of-11 free throws. Before the game, the league reigning MVP was only shooting 65 percent from the stripe.

And Fajardo came through with yet another double-double game with 12 rebounds on top of three assists and two blocks against three turnovers in 37 minutes of action.

Cabagnot paced the Beermen with 21 points while Lutz added 14 and Santos chipped in 10 markers and seven rebounds.

The two teams were fighting tooth and nail when Fajardo took over the game. After Fajardo knocked in his last four charities, San Miguel led by five at 86-81 with time down to 37.3 seconds.

At 81-84, the Texters had their chances to tie but Jayson Castro, Jay Washington and Larry Fonacier misfired three straight three-point attempts.

A foul by Fonacier sent Fajardo to the line to seal their win.

Playing catch-up basketball from the start and trailing by 11 once, the Texters charged to within one, 40-41, at the half on a 21-11 salvo.

Matt Rosser canned in a charity then Jayson Castro rifled in a trey as the Texters finally surged ahead at 44-41 at the start of the third.

Castro and Rosser themselves led their crucial second-quarter charge after San Miguel dominated the first 15 minutes with torrid outside shooting.

Cabagnot, ASantos and Ronald Pascual combined for 7-of-11 three-pointers as the Beermen took the opening quarter at 25-19 and led by 11 at 30-19.

But with the needed defensive adjustments, the Texters made the stoppages and got into the game in the second quarter.

The Texters held Fajardo to 1-of-7 field shooting and beat the Beermen, 26-4, on points inside the paint in the first 24 minutes of play.