Power-playing Ejimofor Anosike provided the energy lacked by San Miguel Beer in the previous games and had no problem co-existing with another post threat in eight-time Most Valuable Player June Mar Fajardo.
Anosike teamed up with Fajardo in a more efficient way and together the frontcourt duo handed Converge a double barrel headache in the Beermen’s 102-95 triumph over the FiberXers at the start of their PBA Governors’ Cup best-of-five quarterfinals series at the Ninoy Aquino Stadium.
Coming in as the third reinforcement of the Beermen after Jordan Adams and Sheldon Mac, Anosike quickly made his presence felt.
Unlike Adams, who is more of a stretch four, Anosike thrives inside the shaded lane.
He pumped in 28 points and grabbed 11 boards while also providing boundless of energy, the lacking element from the two previous imports who reinforced the Beermen.
“Si EJ kasi sobrang lakas niya sa ilalim, sobrang lakas niya sa boards,” added Fajardo. “Si Jordan naman, pure scorer talaga pero itong si EJ, hustle player and grabe yung energy niya sa loob. Nagco-complement siya sa team.”
True enough, the new import made everybody on the team looked good as Fajardo was still able to produce his usual dominant numbers in Game 1. He finished with 25 points and 16 rebounds and even when he was extra challenged by his counterpart, Justin Arana of Converge, who had 20 points and six boards.
With an energy guy in Anosike, Fajardo believes the rest of the team can generate more from the other facets of their game as the Beermen look make it 2-0 on Saturday.
