MANILA, Philippines – June Mar Fajardo could not have played a better game as San Miguel gave Magnolia a 114-98 beating in Game 4 of the 2019 PBA Philippine Cup finals at the Araneta Coliseum on Wednesday, May 8. 

On the night he was crowned Best Player of the Conference for a record 8 times, Fajardo proved to be a cut above the rest as he submitted a near-perfect outing to help the Beermen tie the series at 2-2. 

The reigning five-time MVP tormented the Hotshots with 31 points on a healthy 13-of-14 clip and added 14 rebounds after being contained in their Game 3 loss. 

Fajardo was practically unstoppable all game long, burying all of his first 10 shots before missing a contested layup with less than two minutes left in the 3rd quarter.  

But San Miguel was already up 81-69 by then as it banked on Terrence Romeo and Christian Standhardinger in the final frame to secure the win. 

Romeo fired 18 points with 5 assists and 4 rebounds, Chris Ross finished with 15 points and 7 rebounds while Standhardinger chalked up 13 points, 14 rebounds, 2 blocks, and 2 assists. 

Arwind Santos chipped in 12 points, 6 rebounds, and 6 assists, while Alex Cabagnot had 11 points and 5 assists in the win.

Jio Jalalon and Mark Barroca paced Magnolia with 22 points apiece. 

Game 5 is on Friday, May 10, at the same venue. 

The Scores

San Miguel 114 – Fajardo 31, Romeo 18, Ross 15, Standhardinger 13, Santos 12, Cabagnot 11, Lassiter 6, Rosser 3, Pessumal 3, Nabong 2.

Magnolia 98 – Barroca 22, Jalalon 22, Sangalang 19, Reavis 9, Lee 7, Herndon 6, Dela Rosa 5, Calisaan 4, Melton 2, Brondial 2, Ramos 0, Pascual 0.

Quarters: 25-27, 56-47, 87-77, 114-98.

– Rappler.com