San Miguel’s June Mar Fajardo. Photo from PBA Images.MANILA — The San Miguel Beermen overcame the Phoenix Fuel Masters to tally their first win in PBA Season 49.

This, after the Jorge Gallent-coached squad defeated Jamike Jarin’s squad, 111-107, during their Governors’ Cup eliminations round bout on Wednesday evening at the Araneta Coliseum in Quezon City.

It was a usual day in the office for freshly-crowned Season 48 MVP June Mar Fajardo as he stuffed the stats sheet with 37 points, 24 rebounds, four assists, two steals, and two blocks.

Also standing out was San Miguel reinforcement Jordan Adams who had 24 markers, nine boards, four dimes, and four steals in his PBA debut, while CJ Perez delivered 21 points, four rebounds, and two assists.

Trailing by five, 104-99, with under two minutes remaining in the game, Ricci Rivero scored three of his 11 four-quarter points at the 1:51 mark through an and-one to get to within two. 

Fajardo was then fouled by Javee Mocon in SMB’s next possession, in turn, allowing the 6-foot-10 behemoth to re-extend their lead to four.

Jason Perkins then went on to get his squad to within one, 106-105, after he perfected his trip to the line as he was fouled by Adams in the three-point country, but Perez, in the next play, came to the Beermen’s aid.

The former LPU Pirates star drilled a step-back four-pointer to extend their lead to five, 110-105, while Perkins’ perfect trip to the line gave the Fuel Masters another shot to tie or win the game.

Rivero fired from the farther rainbow country as he looked to get the lead, but his shot hit iron and missed the bottom of the net.

Fajardo was then fouled and 1-of-2 from the line to increase their lead to four, 111-107, but unfortunately for Phoenix, Tyler Tio missed his halfcourt heave in an attempt to send the game to overtime. 

Phoenix’s Ricci Rivero. Photo from PBA Images.Meanwhile, Perkins led the Fuel Masters with 18 points, seven rebounds, and two assists, Rivero tried to do damage with 15 markers, three boards, and three assists, Jay McKinnis had a 13-point, 15-rebound game, while Jayjay Alejandro contributed 10. 

These efforts were crucial in Phoenix erasing a once 13-point advantage by SMB, but it was not enough for them to overcome one of the best games of Fajardo’s career. 

The Scores:

SAN MIGUEL 111- Fajardo 37, Adams 24, Perez 21, Romeo 7, Teng 6, Trollano 4, Ross 3, Manuel 3, Rosales 2, Tautuaa 2, Brondial 2, Cruz 0, Nava 0.

PHOENIX 107 – Perkins 18, Rivero 15, McKinnis 13, Alejandro 10, Tio 9, Salado 9, Jazul 6, Ballungay 5, Mocon 4, Soyud 4, Garcia 4, Tuffin 4, Verano 4, Daves 2, Muyang 0, Camacho 0.

QUARTERS: 27-17, 56-52, 86-77, 111-107