MANILA, Philippines — San Miguel Beer relied on the trio of June Mar Fajardo, CJ Perez and Don Trollano as it sent Converge reeling to its third straight defeat via its 103-99 decision in their PBA Season 50 Commissioner’s Cup match on Wednesday at the Ynares Center in Antipolo.
Fajardo, the nine-time league Most Valuable Player, led the Beermen with 27 points and 17 rebounds, while shooting an efficient 12-of-19 from the field.
Perez backstopped Fajardo with 24 points, five rebounds, five assists and four steals, while Trollano chipped in 18.
American import Marcus Lee, who had an underwhelming PBA debut in SMB’s upset loss to Titan Ultra last week, registered a double-double of 10 points and 12 rebounds, while adding six assists and three blocks.
“The last game we had, that game gave us some trouble,” SMB coach Leo Austria said, referring to the Beermen’s 112-119 loss to the Giant Risers. “But tonight, we saw the real game of San Miguel.” Converge absorbed its third straight loss since opening the conference with a 102-94 win against Macau.
The Beermen dominated the boards, 55-46, while neutralizing the FiberXers’ young workhorse Justine Baltazar, who despite leading the team with 19 points, only had five boards.
Alec Stockton chipped in 17 and eight assists, Mikey Williams had 14 and eight feeds, while import Kylor Kelly finished with 12 and 20 rebounds.