June Mar Fajardo hit the game-winning jumper at the buzzer as San Miguel dealt Rain or Shine its first loss, 113-112, in a thrilling PBA Season 49 Governors’ Cup encounter on Thursday night at the Ninoy Aquino Stadium.
The eight-time MVP caught CJ Perez’s forward pass then pulled the trigger from the perimeter, and Lady Luck smiled at him as he got the shooter’s bounce to go, leading to a frenzied celebration over at the Beermen side.
It made all the more special the night where he also rose in the league’s all-time career rebounds list, surpassing Philip Cezar (5,834) at no. 7.
“Wala na, kailangan na itira e. Dying seconds na. Buti nakuha namin ‘yung panalo,” said Fajardo post-game. “Kailangan namin ‘yung panalo na ‘to eh, kasi ‘pag natalo kami, 2-3, medyo mahirap na ‘yun para sa amin.”
Catch the insane final moments of San Miguel's epic win over Rain or Shine! 🏀 #PBA2024
📹 @JustineBacnis/ Tiebreaker Times pic.twitter.com/MlxHymalJm
— Tiebreaker Times (@tiebreakertimes) September 5, 2024
The Cebuano star finished with 27 points and 21 rebounds to put SMB back on track after losses to Ginebra and NLEX, respectively.
Big thanks to him, also saved was the effort of Jordan Adams, who top-scored with 41 points and laced it with six rebounds and five assists.
It was actually Adams who gave SMB a 111-108 lead by way of a perfect trip to the line with 6.8 seconds left but that got negated when rookie Felix Lemetti outsmarted Chris Ross and was sent to the line for four free throws.
Lemetti made all of his shots in a steely display by the no, 8 pick of the recent draft. But then, Fajardo happened, that Elasto Painters head coach Yeng Guiao could only smile upon witnessing the crazy finish unfold right before his eyes.
“Credit sa Rain or Shine, ganda ng gameplan nila. Credit din sa mga teammates ko, nag-step up kami lahat nung crucial minutes,” Fajardo said.
Lemetti top-scored for Rain or Shine with a conference-high 28 points in the losing effort, which stopped them on their tracks after a 4-0 start.
Still, the young yet gutsy crew built by Guiao remain on top of the Group B standings with a 4-1 record, with San Miguel improving to no. 3.
Aaron Fuller had 24 points and 18 rebounds while Adrian Nocum fired 21 markers for the Elasto Painters in the near-upset.
The Scores:
San Miguel 113 – Adams 41, Fajardo 27, Perez 10, Cruz 10, Trollano 9, Lassiter 6, Tautuaa 4, Romeo 4, Rosales 2, Ross 0.
Rain or Shine 112 – Pangilinan-Lemetti 28, Fuller 24, Nocum 21, mamuyac 12, Datu 10, Caracut 6, Clarito 4, Santillan 3, Belga 2, Norwood 2.
Quarterscores: 33-28 , 55-53, 86-80, 113-112.
