MANILA, Philippines – June Mar Fajardo submitted his best game in the 2018 PBA Commissioner’s Cup and Alex Cabagnot posted a triple-double as San Miguel dispatched Columbian, 129-117, at the Araneta Coliseum on Wednesday, June 6. 

Fajardo delivered 37 points on an ultra-efficient 15-of-21 shooting to go with 18 rebounds while Cabagnot finished with 20 points, 10 rebounds and 10 assists for the Beermen, who bagged their 3rd straight win for a 3-3 record. 

It was not just Fajardo and Cabagnot who shone in the win as import Renaldo Balkman chalked up 27 points, 18 rebounds and 6 assists and Arwind Santos chipped in 18 points, 11 rebounds and two steals. 

The defending champions, trailing 31-33 after the maiden period, outscored the Dyip 38-22 in the second quarter for a 69-55 halftime lead.

Columbian stormed back to gain the upper hand in the 3rd quarter, 86-83, but the Beermen rode on a 14-3 run to close the period for a 97-89 lead, an advantage that grew to as large as 17 points in the last frame. 

Although San Miguel is picking up steam in the mid-season conference, head coach Leo Austria has yet to be satisfied with his wards’ performance.

“Masaya ko na nanalo kami pero malungkot ako dahil we gave up 117 points. So, it’s not an indication na we’re playing well sa defense ano,” Austria said. 

(I’m happy that we won but I’m sad that we gave up 117 points. It’s not an indication that we’re playing well in defense.)

“In order for us to win games, in the next few games, we have to play defense and we have to concentrate on our execution of plays dahil nagkakaroon ng fastbreak ‘yung kalaban and we are not able to set up our defense.”

(In order for us to win our next few games, we have to play defense and we have to concentrate on our execution of plays because the opponents create fastbreak opportunities and we are not able to set up our defense.) 

Columbian, led by John Fields’ 19 points, 22 rebounds, 3 blocks and two steals, crashed to its 3rd straight loss for a 3-5 slate. 

Reden Celda and Rashawn McCarthy added 19 points apiece in the loss. 

The Scores:

San Miguel (129): Fajardo 37, Balkman 27, Cabagnot 20, Santos 18, Ross 10, Mamaril 6, Lassiter 6, Pessumal 5, Ganuelas-Rosser 0, Lanete 0, Vigil 0

Columbian (117): McCarthy 19, Fields 19, Celda 19, Ababou 14, Lastimosa 13, Camson 12, Khobuntin 9, Tubid 6, Escoto 6, King 0, Cahilig 0, Corpuz 0, Cabrera 0 

Quarter scores: 31-33, 69-55, 97-89, 129-117

– Rappler.com