CJ Perez and June Mar Fajardo took charge in the end game as San Miguel Beer gained the head start over Ginebra with a nail-biting 92-90 victory in Game 1 of their best-of-five semifinals series in the 2023-’24 PBA Commissioner’s Cup at the Smart Araneta Coliseum on Wednesday, Jan. 24.

Perez provided the spark in the final frame before Fajardo put on the finishing touches with two crucial free throws in the waning seconds to frustrate the Kings and take care of the series opener. 

The spitfire guard finished with a conference-high 26 points but also made his presence felt on the defensive end with crucial rebounds down the stretch to also list five boards to his name.

Import Bennie Boatwright was limited to just 23 points to go along with his 12 rebounds and five assists after averaging 40.5 points in his first few games.

Fajardo, on the other hand, came alive in the last two quarters and poured 16 of his 18 points after scoring just two points in the first half. He also hauled nine boards and two blocks.

Trailing by as many as 16 points in the fourth frame, SMB turned things around and took a five point lead 90-85 with 2:37 left in the clock behind the efforts of Perez, Fajardo and Boatwright.

Ginebra, however, refused to give up the fight as Christian Standhardinger and Tony Bishop nailed back-to-back baskets to tie the game at 90-all.

Breaks of the game then helped SMB in the ensuing possessions after getting multiple attempts from the foul line behind huge offensive rebounds from Perez and Fajardo. 

Ginebra had one last chance of sending the game into overtime or steal the game in the final possession but the Kings turned the ball over, allowing the Beermen to escape with the win.

Standhardinger led the way for Ginebra with 21 points and 11 rebounds while Bishop had 20 and the same number of boards in a losing effort.