PBA FILES

In a pivotal Game Four of the PBA Philippine Cup Finals, June Mar Fajardo, fresh off receiving his latest Best Player of the Conference award, inspired his San Miguel Beer team to a crucial 111-101 victory over Meralco at the Smart Araneta Coliseum on Wednesday night.

During the post-game awards ceremony, Fajardo humbly shared his accolade with his teammates, gathering them at midcourt before delivering a standout performance on the court. The towering center exploded for a series-high 28 points, complemented by 13 rebounds and an assist, showcasing his dominance in the paint.

"After Game Three, I felt I hadn't achieved anything yet, hadn't won anything, so I was always hungry," Fajardo remarked, referencing his resolve following a tough loss where he struggled with crucial errors and free throws.

Improving significantly from the charity stripe, Fajardo converted 10 of 12 free throws without a single error in Game Four, highlighting his determination to bounce back strong.

Supported by CJ Perez's solid all-around game of 22 points, eight rebounds, and six assists, and Marcio Lassiter's sharpshooting with 18 points, including four three-pointers, San Miguel Beer thwarted Meralco's bid to take the series lead. The Beermen's strong start, anchored by a formidable lineup including Chris Ross and Moala Tautuaa, allowed them to control the game early, securing a 29-22 lead after the first quarter and a 51-40 advantage by halftime.

Despite Meralco's persistent efforts, spearheaded by Chris Newsome's career-high 40 points and significant contributions from Chris Banchero and Cliff Hodge, the Bolts fell short in leveling the series. San Miguel Beer's depth off the bench, bolstered by the return of Terrence Romeo and Vic Manuel, proved crucial as they outscored their counterparts 28-15 in bench points.

With the series now tied at 2-2, both teams head into a crucial Game Five at the Smart Araneta Coliseum on Friday, where the stakes are higher than ever for both San Miguel Beer and Meralco.