Beermen escape blushes, stay in hunt for season sweep

MANILA, Philippines — The sleeping giant has reawakened.

With their reign under heavy siege, titlist San Miguel Beer arose and unleashed its might on upset-seeking Terrafirma, 110-91, to collar its targeted spot in the PBA Philippine Cup semifinals yesterday at the Ninoy Aquino Stadium.

Forced to this quarterfinal sudden death by the Dyip’s 106-95 shocker in Game 1, the top-seeded Beermen restored order and unleashed a strong second half to put their eighth-ranked opponent away.

June Mar Fajardo’s “bully-ball” was the focal point of SMB’s breakaway after a tight first half. The seven-time MVP punched in 10 points to key a telling 34-22 third-quarter salvo that set the tone for the Beermen’s advance against either TNT or Rain or Shine.

The Tropang Giga and the Elasto Painters were contesting the other semis spot last night.

Fajardo had a monster 25-point, 22-rebound game while Terrence Romeo fired 19 and Don Trollano and CJ Perez shot 18 apiece as SMB got the job done after climbing out of a rare two-game skid in the conference. The Beermen went off to a 10-0 start but lost to Meralco, 92-95, before falling to twice-to-win disadvantaged Terrafirma’s ambush in the quarters opener.

“We just picked up our energy and played good defense (coming off the two setbacks),” said coach Jorge Gallent.

“When we played Meralco and the first time we played against Terrafirma, we were kind of sluggish.”