San Miguel’s June Mar Fajardo. Photo from PBA Images.

MANILA (UPDATED) — The San Miguel Beermen imposed their dominance over the Rain or Shine ElastoPainters to move up to 2-0 in the PBA Semifinals.

The mighty SMB thwarted the E-Painters, 106-89, during their 2024 Philippine Cup Game 2 semis bout on Sunday evening at the Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City.

June Mar Fajardo finished with a 22-point, 10-rebound game together with four dimes to lead the Beermen, while CJ Perez and Terrence Romeo finished with 19 markers and 11 boards, and 16 points, five dimes, and five rebounds, respectively.

This triumph of SMB contrasted with their close encounter with Rain or Shine in Game 1, and Beermen head coach Jorge Gallent said that what differed was how they performed better on the defensive end.

“We just got better at getting back on defense. The players really went down well and 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,” he told reporters after the game.

“We did a better job sprinting back on defense and getting good shots, better shots than in Game 1. So I guess we just have to do the same in Game 3 and keep the energy up and keep on pressing the gas,” he continued.

Fajardo, who did most of his damage in the pivotal third period, said that it was a matter of how their offense shifted to him as their main weapon.

“Hinahanap kasi ako ng mga teammates ko at sinabihan din ako ni coach na idiin yung opensa,” he shared.

Only trailing by four, 73-69, midway through the third quarter, Rain or Shine suddenly saw themselves down by 10, 81-71, after a series of baskets by Fajardo, Perez, and Romeo.

Perez converted on another triple to extend their lead to 13, with only a minute and 38 seconds remaining in the same frame, and Fajardo closed the quarter with two straight baskets to further their advantage to 17, 88-71.

The Beermen’s onslaught continued in the fourth, with a lay-in from Mo Tautuaa at the 7:35 mark allowing SMB to increase their lead to 19, 96-77, and that proved to be enough cushion for Gallent’s boys to end the game despite the E-Painters putting up a last attempt at a comeback late in the contest.

Despite being halfway for yet another finals appearance, Gallent maintained that they are not getting too high of themselves.

“As of now, two wins is nothing. We have to get four. There’s nothing to celebrate about,” he said, while also sharing where they are now on their progress to success.

“This is our third step. First was the eliminations, second one was the quarterfinals, and this is the third. But it’s not over yet. We have to get to four to finish this step.”

Meanwhile, the Yeng Guiao-mentored team was led by guards Anton Asistio (20 points, three rebounds, three assists), Rence Nocum (17 points, nine rebounds, four assists), and Gian Mamuyac (14 points, four rebounds, two assists).

Beau Belga and Keith Datu led ROS’ frontcourt with 11 and 12, respectively.

San Miguel will be looking to extend their advantage to 3-0 on Wednesday, May 22, at the Dasmariñas Arena in Cavite.

Tip-off is at 4:30 PM.

The Scores:

SAN MIGUEL – 106 —  Fajardo 22, Perez 19, Romeo 16, Lassiter 13, Trollano 10, Ross 9, Cruz 9, Brondial 4, Tautuaa 4, Enciso , Manuel 0, Teng 0

RAIN OR SHINE – 89 —  Asistio 20, Nocum 17, Mamuyac 14, Datu 12, Belga 11, Santillan 5, Caracut 4, Clarito 4, Norwood 2, Paredes 0, Ildefonso 0, Belo 0, Borboran 0

Quarterscores: 23-21, 53-45, 88-71, 106-89