A double-Teamed Junemar Fajardo still scored on a three-point play in the last 19.6 seconds and hoisted the San Miguel Beermen past luckless Terrafirma Dyip, 109-108, in overtime Thursday night in the Philippine Basketball Association Philippine Cup 2022 at the Araneta Coliseum.
The 6’10” Fajardo once again bounced back from a scoring miscue in regulation in leading the Beermen to their ninth win in 10 games.
Nicknamed “The Kraken,” Fajardo went on to finish with 26 points, 10 rebounds and eight assists, as he helped the Beermen clinch the top seed in the quarterfinals with their ninth win in 10 games.
Like in regulation, the Dyip had a chance to finally win their first game in the tournament, but Javi Gomez De Liano missed a lay-up in the team’s last possession.
The solo-leading Beermen, found themselves in a 98-all tie in the last 34 seconds of regulation after Dyip’s JP Calvo unloaded a pair of triples.
But Fajardo missed a jumper with 14 ticks to go, allowing the Dyip a chance to score a final basket in regulation.
Aldrech Ramos, though, bungled a triple for the Dyip as time expired.
“Hindi nila ako kailangan na mai-stop. Iyung mga teammates ko ang dapat nilang inii-stop. Maganda ang nilalaro nila at ang game plan,” said Fajardo.
Marcio Lassiter knocked in 23 points for the Beermen, who are ahead of the TNT Tropang Giga (8-3).
“We’re just doing what we’re supposed to do, helping each other in defense,” said assistant coach Jorge Gallent, who called the shots for the Beermen after head coach Leo Austria was put under the league’s health and safety protocols.
Eric Camson delivered 20 points for the Dyip, while Calvo and Gomez de Liano added 19 each.
