On a night when June Mar Fajardo struggled, the mighty San Miguel Beermen proved that they cannot just rely on anyone, but everyone.
Fajardo’s streak of 20-20 games was snapped by an air tight Barangay Ginebra defense, but the rest of the Beermen led by Don Trollano’s awakening in Game 3 of their PBA bets-of-seven semifinals series, stepped up and turned back the challenge of the Gin Kings by pulling off a 91-85 triumph late Friday night at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
The 6-foot-10, nine-time league Most Valuable Player had three straight 20-20 games prior to Game 3, but his streak was hit by a roadblock of Ginebra defenders as he struggled for six points on 1-of-8 shooting from the field.
Yet even when Fajardo was struggling offensively, it didn’t seem as a big concern for the Beermen, who drew a huge game from Trollano — a player who couldn’t get his game going in the previous two matches.
But he flexed his muscles in Game 3, scattering 33 points while also pulling down six rebounds and completing two steals.
The rest of the Beermen came out ready to make key contributions from the starters to their second unit.
San Miguel produced 56 points from players coming off the bench, 22 more than their counterparts, while also generating 50 points from the shaded lane compared to 38 submitted by Barangay Ginebra.
Head coach Leo Austria attributed the struggle on Fajardo;’s game to the recurring shoulder injury, yet the league’s most dominant force refused to use it as an excuse.
“Maganda rin kasi yung depensa ng Ginebra,” said Fajardo. “Buti nag-step yung mga teammates ko. Maganda yung nilaro nila kaya ako doon na lang ako nag-concentrate sa rebounds, pasa, parang decoy na lang ako.”
