MANILA, Philippines – When things are clicking for both June Mar Fajardo and CJ Perez, beating San Miguel has proven to be a daunting task.
Even reigning Philippine Cup champion Meralco ended up unsuccessful.
Fajardo and Perez dominated as the Beermen exacted revenge on the Bolts, 110-98, in a rematch of the last All-Filipino finals that spiced up the PBA’s 50th anniversary celebration at the Rizal Memorial Coliseum on Wednesday, April 9.
Perez finished with 29 points, 5 rebounds, 4 assists, and 2 steals, while Fajardo posted 28 points, 10 rebounds, and 4 assists in the win that allowed the Beermen to hike their record to 2-0.
The two were also pivotal in the fourth quarter as San Miguel pulled away for good after Meralco cut a sizable deficit to a single possession, with Perez firing 11 points and Fajardo scoring 7 points in the period.
Down by as many as 17 points, 40-57, the Bolts clawed their way back and got within 79-82 before Perez worked his magic.
Perez scattered 7 points in a 17-10 run, including a four-pointer that took the fight out of Meralco and gave the Beermen a 99-89 lead with five minutes remaining.
Jeron Teng added 11 points, while Rodney Brondial put up 9 points and 9 rebounds for San Miguel in the special occasion that saw both teams throw it back as they wore retro jerseys.
The Beermen sported their white San Miguel Beer jersey from the 1979-1980 season, while the Bolts used an orange version of their jersey from their days in the now-defunct Manila Industrial and Commercial Athletic Association.
Chris Newsome, who hit the game-winner that allowed Meralco to capture the Philippine Cup crown for its first-ever PBA championship, delivered 27 points, 7 assists, 4 rebounds, and 2 steals in the losing effort.
Rookie guard Kurt Reyson had 14 points, while Aaron Black and Raymar Jose supplied 12 points each for the Bolts, who absorbed their first loss after a 2-0 start.
The Scores
San Miguel – Perez 29, Fajardo 28, Teng 11, Brondial 9, Lassiter 8, Tiongson 7, Rosales 7, Tautuaa 6, Trollano 5, Cahilig 0.
Meralco – Newsome 27, Reyson 14, Black 12, Jose 12, Hodge 10, Cansino 8, Bates 6, Almazan 5, Quinto 4, Torres 0, Rios 0, Caram 0, Pascual 0.
Quarters: 25-21, 52-38, 77-74, 110-98.
– Rappler.com