IN his previous post-game presser, coach Yeng Guiao noted how June Mar Fajardo has long been a tough puzzle for them. Nonetheless, Guiao believed time would come they would solve that problem.
That time came Thursday night by way of Aaron Fuller and Beau Belga taking turn to limit JMF's efficiency.
"Sa tagal ng panahon, na-tsambahan din namin," said Guiao as they somehow neutralized Fajardo and ended an 11-game losing streak against San Miguel Beer with a 122-112 win in a crucial match at the Ninoy Aquino Stadium.
"Masyadong mabigat ang San Miguel, at mabigat na panalo ang nakuha na in. At may chance kami ngayon mag No. 1. If we finish that job (versus Blackwater), siguro it's a better place in the quarters, better matchup for us," Guiao also said.
In scoring a first win over SMB since the Bacolor semi-bubble in 2021, the Elasto Painters seized solo top spot in PBA Governors' Cup Group B at 7-2 while sending the Beermen down to joint second with the Barangay Ginebra Kings at 6-3.
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Guiao and his troops automatically claim top seeding if they hurdle the Blackwater Bossing.
A three-way tie ensues if Rain or Shine drops that match while San Miguel and Barangay Ginebra win their respective final assignments. In such case, the Beermen would salvage pole position.
Andrei Caracut fired 20 points to lead six Elasto Painters in twin digits.
Fuller delivered 17 points and 11 rebounds, Belga logged in a season-best 16 that was matched by Adrian Nocum as Gian Mamuyac and Gabe Norwood chipped in 12 and 10, respectively.
CJ Perez scored a game-high 27 points even as he fouled out with over four minutes left to play, with San Miguel trailing 104-116.
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Jordan Adams rode the bench earlier, with his right thigh being iced due to tightness.
But Guiao insisted JMF's efficiency clipped was the biggest key.
"Nagtulungan lang kami sa depensa. June Mar is really a handful. Aaron put a good job putting a body. Ganoon din si Beau. Pinagtulungan nila ang role na yon," said Guiao.
His efficiency lessened, Fajardo still finished with a double-double with 14 points and 12 rebounds.(SB)
The Scores :
RAIN OR SHINE 122 - Caracut 20, fuller 17, Belga 16, Nocum 16, Mamuyac 12, Norwood 10, Lemetti 8, Clarito 7, Santillan 6, Ildefonso 5, Tiongson 3, Asistio 2.
SAN MIGUEL 112 - Perez 27, Romeo 24, Adams 24, Fajardo 14, Trollano 6, Cruz 5, Manuel 4, Lassiter 3, Ross 3, Teng 2.
QUARTERS : 33-32, 61-59, 97-88, 122-112
