JUNE Mar Fajardo achieved Sunday night a record-extending 12th Best Player of the Conference award then helped San Miguel Beer move on the brink of a return to the throne in the PBA Philippine Cup.
Fajardo emerged as the runaway winner in the BPC derby, annexing a ninth plum in the all-Filipino tourney.
And the Beermen are also in a position to win the Philippine Cup crown in similar fashion following a 105-91 drubbing of the TNT Tropang 5G for a 3-1 lead in the best-of-seven title series.
Before a good weekend crowd at the MOA Arena in Pasay City, Fajardo, Jericho Cruz and CJ Perez teamed up for a strong finishing kick handing the Beermen a third straight win.
And the championship is within reach as the Beermen battle the beleaguered Tropang 5G in Game 5 Wednesday back at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
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Coach Chot Reyes and his troops have no recourse now but to win three in a row if they're to salvage their Grand Slam dream.
Cruz top scored with 23 points spiked by 5-of-7 three-pointers, Perez tossed in 16 markers with clutch hits at the finish while Fajardo delivered a 15-point, 12-rebound double-double for the Beermen who are now a step away from reclaiming the precious jewel they last won in 2023.
It was actually a close game until Cruz fired a third triple in the fourth quarter, touching off an 11-2 run that gave SMB a 10-point spread at 92-82.
Overall, San Miguel pummeled TNT, 24-12, in the homestretch, thus, making it three in a row following a 98-92 decision in Game 2 then a 108-88 rout in Game 3.
Poy Erram returned from a one-game layoff but made little difference for a team battling tough adversity.
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Jordan Heading got his touch in the second half and paced the Tropang 5G with 23 points.
Shrugging off another slow start and making an early turnaround, the Beermen sat on a 45-37 cushion in the first half.
Eight Beermen in balanced scoring negated the 23-point combined output by Kelly Williams and Brandon Ganuelas-Rosser in the first 24 minutes.
Cruz and Juami Tiongson led the SMB scoring parade early on with eight apiece as Chris Ross added seven, including a booming four-ball towards the end of their 24-14 roll in the second quarter.
Williams sizzled with 14 on 4-of-8 treys while BGR tossed in nine but the rest of the TNT players bled for a pitiful total of 14, with gunner Calvin Oftana going 0-of-3 from the field.
In the second half, Williams scored no more while BGR was held down to five.(SB)
