San Miguel Beer leaned on June Mar Fajardo’s dominant showing to outlast Converge, 103-99, and secure its first win in the PBA Season 50 Commissioner’s Cup on Wednesday, March 25, at the Ynares Center in Antipolo. The Beermen overcame a shaky start and a struggling import to bounce back from their opening-game loss.

Fajardo delivered an import-like performance, finishing with 27 points and 17 rebounds while anchoring San Miguel’s late-game surge. His presence on both ends proved decisive in a tightly contested battle.

Fajardo takes over as San Miguel finds its rhythm

For most of the game, San Miguel looked like a team still searching for consistency. Trailing by eight at halftime, the Beermen gradually regained their footing behind Fajardo’s steady production in the paint.

He capped his performance with a crucial three-point play in the closing stretch, a defining moment that helped tilt the game in San Miguel’s favor. Alongside his scoring and rebounding, Fajardo added three assists and two steals, showcasing his all-around impact.

Fajardo emphasized the urgency of bouncing back after their opening loss, noting the importance of securing wins early in a short conference format where every game carries weight.

Fourth-quarter execution seals win for Beermen

San Miguel’s breakthrough came in the final period, where the team finally displayed the composure and execution expected from a contender. After edging ahead late in the third quarter, the Beermen held their ground against Converge’s attempts to rally.

CJ Perez provided key offensive support with 24 points, while Don Trollano added 18 and Marcio Lassiter chipped in 11. Despite continued struggles from import Marcus Lee, who managed just 10 points but grabbed 12 rebounds, the Beermen found enough balance to secure the win.

On the other side, Converge drew solid contributions from Justine Baltazar with 19 points, Alec Stockton with 17, and Mikee Williams, but ultimately fell short in crunch time. The loss dropped the FiberXers further in the standings as they absorbed their third defeat in four games.

San Miguel coach Leo Austria acknowledged the team’s improved focus compared to their previous outing, pointing out that limiting mistakes and maintaining composure were key to their recovery. With momentum now on their side, the Beermen look ahead to a marquee matchup against TNT in their next assignment.