Santos, Fajardo lift Beermen past TNT

June Mar Fajardo connected on a high 72 percent from the field leading the San Miguel Beermen to an 88-76 win over the TNT KaTropa in the elimination round of the 2018 PBA Philippine Cup.

Fajardo finished the game with 20 points and six boards, while Arwind Santos and Marcio Lassiter added 15 points apiece. Alex Cabagnot rounded up the starters in double figures with 11 points and 12 boards.

Alex Cabagnot pulling a three. Photo: PBA

Only two points separated the squads entering the final 3:35 after Anthony Semerad scored, 76-74. An Alex Cabagnot turnover gave TNT the chance to tie or take the lead, but Semerad missed from deep and Troy Rosario’s attempt was blocked by Arwind Santos.

Santos, meanwhile, followed his defensive stop with an offensive gem, before Cabagnot rung in a tripe to make it a seven-point game, 81-74, with 2:04 to go.

Misses from Roger Pogoy and Jayson Castro hurt TNT, as Santos nailed a triple that cancelled out Troy Rosario’s jumper, 84-76. Another Castro miscue forced the Ka Tropa to start fouling to stop the clock, with Santos sealing the deal with the dunk.

Troy Rosario was the only bright spot for TNT’s starting five, scoring 15 points with 13 boards. Mo Tautuaa and Roger Pogoy combined for 23 markers off the bench, while Jayson Castro struggled for just nine points off a low 3 of 16 clip from the field. — LA, GMA News