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Manila Bulletin devider Sports devider Basketball devider Fajardo, Tiongson star as SMB stamps class over Converge

Fajardo, Tiongson star as SMB stamps class over Converge

Published Nov 2, 2025 07:45 pm

At A Glance

  • June Mar Fajardo towered over the frontcourt of Justin Arana and Justine Baltazar as San Miguel stamped its class over Converge, 96-90 in the PBA Season 49 Philippine Cup at the Ynares Center in Antipolo, Sunday, Nov. 2.
June Mar Fajardo towered over the frontcourt duo of Justin Arana and Justine Baltazar as San Miguel stamped its class over Converge, 96-90, in the PBA Season 49 Philippine Cup at the Ynares Center in Antipolo on Sunday, Nov. 2.
The Beermen showed exactly why they are the reigning all-Filipino champions with Fajardo throwing his weight around in the paint and Juami Tiongson delivering key baskets in the payoff period.
Fajardo posted a double-double of 24 points and 16 rebounds laced with four assists and two blocks while Tiongson had a blistering stretch in the final frame where he fired all of his 14 points to help SMB list its third straight victory.
SMB, after a 0-2 start to its title-retention bid, has now strung together three straight victories to move above the 0.500 mark after improving to a 3-2 slate.
The Beermen created the separation in the third frame where they went on an 11-2 run before the defending champions showed poise to keep the FiberXers at bay.
But more than the offensive explosions, it was the defense of SMB that set the tone for the team as it successfully limited the explosive backcourt of Converge.
Alec Stockton and Juan Gomez de Liano combined for a 4-of-21 shooting from the field with the former only finishing six and the latter mustering eight.
Schonny Winston paced Converge with 20 points just as the twin towers of Arana and Baltazar finished with double-doubles each. Arana had 19 points and 10 rebounds while Baltazar chipped in 14 and 19.
Their efforts, however, were not enough as Converge slid to a 4-2 slate.
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