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PHOTO: Jerome Ascano

SAN Miguel leaned on June Mar Fajardo again to seize a 2-0 lead in their PBA Season 48 Philippine Cup semifinals, beating Rain or Shine, 106-89, on Sunday at the SM Mall of Asia Arena.

Fajardo scored 18 of his 22 points in the third quarter where the Beermen broke the game wide open to capture Game Two in blowout fashion against the Elasto Painters.

The Beermen will go for a commanding lead in the best-of-seven semifinals series on Wednesday at the Dasmariñas Arena in Cavite.

No answer for June Mar

Just like in Game One, Rain or Shine simply had no answer to Fajardo, who scored most of his third-quarter points at the post that led to 35 markers for San Miguel in that period.

Fajardo’s performance was a huge follow-up to his 23-point, 11-rebound effort in the series opener.

Photo by: Jerome Ascano

Aside from the performance of the seven-time PBA MVP, San Miguel coach Jorge Gallent was pleased that his team managed to prevent Rain or Shine from capitalizing on its strengths, limiting the Elasto Painters to just seven fastbreak points.

“We just got better getting back on defense,” said Gallent. “The players really went down well. We were getting good shots that’s why we were able to sprint back down and stop their fastbreak points, which was our main concern in Game One.”

The Beermen ended the third on a 15-2 run to bring their lead to 88-73 after the Elasto Painters only trailed by four, the closest they got in the ballgame.

CJ Perez also contributed 19 points and 11 rebounds, as Terrence Romeo also added 16 points in the Beermen victory where they led by as many as 19 points.

Anton Asistio had 20 points, while Adrian Nocum had 17 points. Rain or Shine actually had five players in double figures, but still in a losing effort.

The scores:

San Miguel 106 – Fajardo 22, Perez 19, Romeo 16, Lassiter 13, Trollano 10, Ross 9, Cruz 9, Tautuaa 4, Brondial 4, Enciso 0, Teng 0, Manuel 0.

Rain or Shine 89 – Asistio 20, Nocum 17, Mamuyac 14, Datu 12, Belga 11, Santillan 5, Caracut 4, Clarito 4, Norwood 2, Ildefonso 0, Borboran 0, Paredes 0, Belo 0.

Quarters: 23-21; 53-45; 88-71; 106-89.