Metro Manila (CNN Philippines) — There was no way June Mar Fajardo would let the defending champions go 1-3 down.
The San Miguel Beermen got even with the Rain or Shine Elasto Painters through a 105-92 victory in Game 4 of their best-of-seven Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) Philippine Cup semifinal series on Monday (January 11) at the Araneta Coliseum.
Fajardo led the charge for the Beermen with 33 markers, 15 boards, and six blocked shots.
The defending champions got off to a flying start, leading by as much as 12 points in the opening quarter. But a stubborn fightback from the Elasto Painters reduced the gap to 28-25 to end the period.
A Jewel Ponferada bucket gave Rain or Shine the 43-42 lead momentarily in the later part of the second quarter, but the challengers could not build on the momentum.
In the third period, after a Gabe Norwood jumper evened things up at 61-all, the Beermen went on a tear that Rain or Shine would never recover from.
With 6:08 left in the third, San Miguel tore through Rain or Shine to take a 90-68 advantage into the final period.
There was no miraculous fourth quarter comeback from the Elasto Painters the Beermen held on to their advantage.
Maverick Ahanmisi and Don Trollano paced Rain or Shine with 15 markers a piece.
San Miguel head coach Leo Austria looked for a response coming from a bad loss, and he was delighted that they came up with the goods at such a crucial point of their season.
“I am happy that they responded, that they have a different approach to this game. Maybe because we were in the brink of elimination,” said Austria.
“I hope na maduplicate namin ang nangyari last season.”
