Metro Manila (CNN Philippines) — Following their 102-86 win opposite the Meralco Bolts Monday (June 29), San Miguel Beer head coach Leo Austria lauded big man June Mar Fajardo for his efforts on both ends of the floor.
“I’m happy to have a player like June Mar,” he said of his prized center moments after the victory that allowed them to secure the last semifinals berth in the Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) Governors’ Cup.
“He’s not just there to play, but to win.”
Fajardo raked in 22 points, hauled down 16 rebounds, and blocked two shots for the Beermen, who will face the Rain or Shine Elasto Painters in a best-of-seven semifinal finale.
Read: San Miguel Beer holds off Meralco, arranges semifinal clash with Rain or Shine
Their series begins on Thursday.
But Austria reiterated it was the team’s collective effort especially on defense that keyed the victory at the SMART-Araneta Coliseum.
“We gave a lot of easy baskets in the first game, but our defense improved tonight,” said Austria, whose team lost to Meralco in their first encounter in the quarterfinals to forge Monday’s sudden-death.
