Wake-up call for SMB after surviving huge Converge scare
At A Glance
- The quarterfinals series against Converge certainly served as a wake-up call for San Miguel as the proud franchise almost got knocked out of the Final Four if not for the Game 5 heroics of June Mar Fajardo.
The quarterfinals series against Converge certainly served as a wake-up call for San Miguel as the proud franchise almost got knocked out of the Final Four if not for the Game 5 heroics of June Mar Fajardo.
The Beermen, leading 2-0 in the series, were actually on their way to booking a spot in Game 3 when they led by as many as 27 points in the second half only to relax and lose to an Alec Stockton game-winner.
Converge, riding the crest of that victory, looked rejuvenated and took down SMB in Game 4 to force the sudden-death.
And even in the deciding game, the Beermen saw themselves trailing by double-digits against the confident FiberXers before Fajardo imposed his will and towed his team back to the semifinals.
“It started in Game 3 and 4 when we started to relax and gave them the opportunity to come back so we just can't relax in any team we play,” said SMB head coach Jorge Gallent after finally dispatching Converge, 109-105, on Sunday, Oct. 6.
Fajardo exploded for 40 points and 24 rebounds in the decider – including two crucial layups that kept SMB within striking distance after trailing, 99-91, midway through the final frame.
Seeing the eight-time Most Valuable Player do his work underneath, even diving for loose balls, somehow pumped life to SMB’s cause and triggered a telling 11-3 spurt.
Gallent admitted SMB rode on Fajardo’s back again and he was all praises for his star center after delivering yet another MVP-caliber performance.
“We just went to him and he just decided on what to do inside the court. If he was doubled he would pass the ball if not, he took it straight to the basket. My hats off to June Mar Fajardo, he played his hearts out,” said Gallent,
“I have nothing to say about this guy except all praises,” he added.
SMB booked its fifth straight semifinals – a place where SMB cannot commit the same mistakes and be complacent especially up against a perennial title-contender in Ginebra.
“Against Ginebra we just have to play well. It’s a well-coached team. They have great players. We have to play our A-game for us to have a chance to beat them,” added the veteran coach.