Rookie Felix Lemetti was on the cusp of delivering yet another game-winning moment for Rain or Shine — until eight-time Most Valuable Player June Mar Fajardo stole the show.
Fajardo capped his MVP performance with a game winner at the buzzer and lifted San Miguel Beer to a tense 113-112 win over the Elasto Painters in the PBA Governors’ Cup Thursday night at the Ninoy Aquino Stadium.
Already building a good reputation as a pressure-packed player in his young PBA career, Lemetti was once again tested.
The newcomer stepped up big in Rain or Shine’s big win against Barangay Ginebra a week ago and was once again on the verge of completing yet another scintillating performance with his heads up plays.
He picked up a foul from veteran Chris Ross, but had the presence of mind to take the shot a few steps away from the four-point region.
Lemetti showed nerves of steel, knocking in all four free throws to give the Elasto Painters a 112-111 lead, but it left the Beermen to rush back at the other end and as the ball found Fajardo squared up to launch the winning jumper from 17 feet and cap an exciting finish.
More than dealing the Elasto Painters their first loss in the tournament, the Beermen also snapped back-to-back losses as the team continued to assert its dominance against a Rain or Shine team, which had shown remarkable improvement in the past two seasons, including a solid start in the season-opening, import-laced event.
