June Mar Fajardo delivered a stellar performance, recording 23 points and 15 rebounds to lead San Miguel Beer to a 108-97 victory over Meralco on Friday, June 20, at the Ninoy Aquino Stadium, propelling the Beermen into the PBA Philippine Cup semifinals.

With the win, San Miguel Beer made quick work of the eighth-seeded Meralco Bolts, securing a wire-to-wire victory in their quarterfinals showdown. The Beermen now await the winner of the other quarterfinals matchup between Barangay Ginebra and Converge, with Ginebra holding a win-once advantage.

Strong Start Propels SMB to Victory

The Beermen took control early, building as much as a 16-point lead three times during the game. Despite Meralco’s fightback in the third quarter, which saw the Bolts narrow the deficit to just 75-77, San Miguel Beer remained poised. A more balanced offensive attack, spearheaded by Juami Tiongson, quelled Meralco’s threat, allowing the Beermen to stretch their lead back to 100-82 with just six minutes remaining.

“We prepared for this conference to get all the way through to the finals and eventually win the championship,” said San Miguel Beer head coach Leo Austria, acknowledging the importance of the win as redemption for last year’s finals loss to Meralco and the Beermen’s failure to make the playoffs in the last Commissioner’s Cup.

Tiongson and Trollano Step Up

Although CJ Perez was limited to just 14 points—almost 10 below his league-leading average—he dished out a game-high eight assists, helping his team maintain control. Tiongson, who finished with 19 points, played a crucial role in the third and fourth quarters, along with Don Trollano, who added 19 points and six rebounds.

Meanwhile, Rodney Brondial contributed a double-double performance with 13 points and 12 rebounds, while Mo Tautuaa chipped in with 10 points and 11 rebounds, providing additional support to Fajardo.

Meralco’s Fightback Led by Banchero and Newsome

On the other side, Chris Banchero exploded for 32 points, leading the charge for Meralco, while Chris Newsome had an impressive stat line of 23 points, 11 rebounds, and six assists. Norbert Torres was the only other Meralco player to score in double digits with 13 points, including six consecutive points during a key 10-2 run that brought the Bolts within two points late in the third quarter.

However, despite their individual efforts, Meralco couldn’t overcome San Miguel Beer‘s well-balanced attack. The Beermen’s superior depth and execution were key to their dominant win.

Atonement for the Previous Loss

For coach Leo Austria, advancing to the semifinals is not just about securing a spot but also about atoning for last year’s heartbreak and bouncing back from their elimination in the Commissioner’s Cup. “It’s all about pride,” Austria said. “We redeemed ourselves from that loss last year to Meralco, and we’ve made it to the Final Four.”

But the road to the finals remains tough, as San Miguel Beer is aware of the challenge ahead, with their next opponent likely to be Ginebra or Converge. “The next opponent could be either Converge or Ginebra, and we know how strong both those teams are,” Austria added.

Looking Ahead

San Miguel Beer‘s dominant performance in this quarterfinals matchup is a clear statement of intent. With Fajardo leading the charge, the Beermen have set their sights on the championship, but the battle for the title is far from over. As they await the outcome of the Barangay Ginebra vs. Converge series, San Miguel Beer is primed to make a deep playoff run and contend for the PBA Philippine Cup.