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Manila Bulletin devider Sports devider Basketball devider SMB ousts Meralco to punch semis ticket

SMB ousts Meralco to punch semis ticket

Published Jun 20, 2025 07:27 pm

At A Glance

  • San Miguel Beer finally got a revenge on its tormentor in its last finals appearance by eliminating defending champion Meralco, 108-97, in the quarterfinals of the PBA Season 49 Philippine Cup at the Ninoy Aquino Stadium on Friday, June 20.
June Mar Fajardo leads SMB with 23 points and 15 points. (PBA Images)
June Mar Fajardo leads SMB with 23 points and 15 points. (PBA Images)
San Miguel Beer finally got a revenge on its tormentor in its last finals appearance by eliminating defending champion Meralco, 108-97, in the quarterfinals of the PBA Season 49 Philippine Cup at the Ninoy Aquino Stadium on Friday, June 20.
June Mar Fajardo, Juami Tiongson and Don Trollano took turns in establishing the big lead for the Beermen before fending off any efforts for a Bolts comeback in the second half to claim the first seat in the All-Filipino Cup semifinals.
SMB hardly needed to use its twice-to-beat advantage as Fajardo spearheaded the masterful performance for the top seed by erupting for 23 points and 15 rebounds along with four blocks.
But it was not the league-leading Best Player of the Conference contender alone who did most of the damager as five other Beermen exploded with double-digit scoring efforts led by Tiongson and Trollano, who fired 19 points apiece.
Rodney Brondial contributed with his own double-double effort of 13 points and 12 rebounds, while CJ Perez chipped in 14 points and dished out nine assists.
The Beermen led by as many as 16 points, 58-42, in the first two quarters before the Bolts threatened and trimmed the deficit to only two, 75-77, in the third.
But SMB was just too poised to be rattled with as Tiongson sparked a pivotal 14-2 run in the final frame to pull away for good, 91-77, against the No. 8 team Meralco.
Chris Banchero left everything he got with a season-high 32 points but were just enough to carry the fight for Meralco. Chris Newsome added 23 points while Norbert Torres, who led the Bolts' third-quarter assault, finished with 13 points.
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