by Jonas Terrado
San Miguel Beer displayed its mean streak in a timely manner, crushing TNT KaTropa, 96-86, in the deciding third game of their quarterfinal series to advance to the PBA Philippine Cup semifinals at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
June Mar Fajardo imposed his will yet again to score 32 points on a perfect 11-of-11 shooting with 14 rebounds as the Beermen earned the right to face top seed Phoenix Pulse in a best-of-seven affair.
Chris Ross and June Mar Fajardo go for the rebound in their game against TnT KaTropa (PBA Images)
Christian Standhardinger was also instrumental in the victory by producing 17 points on 8-of-9 from the field and Terrence Romeo scored 11.
Fajardo had 10 points in the first quarter that saw San Miguel take a 25-10 lead and never look back.
Coach Leo Austria lauded his team for also displaying its own defensive intensity with Fajardo, Arwind Santos and Chris Ross in charge.
“We’ve been criticized before na wala kaming defense but I think you saw that our team can also play defense,” said Austria.
Roger Pogoy had 16 points but Jayson Castro shot 3-of-10 for 10 points and Troy Rosario went 4-of-10 to also end up with 10 points.
Barangay Ginebra San Miguel and Magnolia were disputing the remaining semis berth at press time for the right to meet Rain or Shine in another best-of-seven duel.
The semis begins on Friday at the Big Dome with the first match to be determined after the Ginebra-Magnolia tussle.
Earlier, the league held a moment of silence in honor of referee Guillermo “Emy” Tangkion, who passed away after collapsing during a workout last Tuesday at the nearby JCSGO Gym.
Chris Ross and June Mar Fajardo go for the rebound in their game against TnT KaTropa (PBA Images)
Christian Standhardinger was also instrumental in the victory by producing 17 points on 8-of-9 from the field and Terrence Romeo scored 11.
Fajardo had 10 points in the first quarter that saw San Miguel take a 25-10 lead and never look back.
Coach Leo Austria lauded his team for also displaying its own defensive intensity with Fajardo, Arwind Santos and Chris Ross in charge.
“We’ve been criticized before na wala kaming defense but I think you saw that our team can also play defense,” said Austria.
Roger Pogoy had 16 points but Jayson Castro shot 3-of-10 for 10 points and Troy Rosario went 4-of-10 to also end up with 10 points.
Barangay Ginebra San Miguel and Magnolia were disputing the remaining semis berth at press time for the right to meet Rain or Shine in another best-of-seven duel.
The semis begins on Friday at the Big Dome with the first match to be determined after the Ginebra-Magnolia tussle.
Earlier, the league held a moment of silence in honor of referee Guillermo “Emy” Tangkion, who passed away after collapsing during a workout last Tuesday at the nearby JCSGO Gym.