Fajardo powers SMB to second straight win

ANTIPOLO, Philippines —  Back-to-back monster games from June Mar Fajardo under returning head coach Leo Austria, back-to-back wins for rejuvenated San Miguel Beer.

Fajardo delivered 27 points and 22 rebounds plus six assists as he provided the spark for the Beermen’s 115-102 drubbing of Blackwater in the PBA Commissioner’s Cup last night at the Ynares Center.

Picking up from his massive 21-19-7 in SMB’s 106-88 romp over Terrafirma in Austria’s first game back last Friday, Fajardo served as the fire-starter against the Bossing as the defending champions wrested control in the second canto with a 37-22 exchange.

The Bossing threatened to within 95-100 in the final canto but Fajardo restored order and sealed the Beermen’s third victory versus two losses overall by dropping nine markers heading home.

“Normal na sa kanya yan,” Austria said of Fajardo.

Also producing a strong performance was import Torren Jones, who turned in 29 markers and 14 boards in his second appearance in place of SMB’s first reinforcement Quincy Miller.

“He’s still adjusting to the system but slowly nakukuha na niya ‘yung game plan and we’re happy sa pagiging hard worker niya; ang dami niyang nakuhang bola at putbacks. That’s one of the things na kailangan namin,” said Austria of Jones, who had 24-13 in his debut.

Later, guest team Hong Kong Eastern stretched its streak to three matches and climbed to second spot at 5-1 as it dealt Barangay Ginebra (2-1) its first defeat via a 93-90 verdict.

The Beermen actually had a slow start and trailed Blackwater by as many as 10, 18-28 in the opening minutes of the second canto.

Then Fajardo started doing JMF things and SMB took the driver’s seat, 55-48. Austria’s charges went on to extend the lead to a high of 15 at 113-98.