San Miguel finishes off Rain or Shine but Fajardo's fate hangs in the balance after knee injury

The San Miguel Beermen claimed the right to face the Alaska Aces, eliminating the Rain or Shine Elasto Painters, 90-82, on Friday at the SMART-Araneta Coliseum, but the semifinal victory may have come at a steep price as June Mar Fajardo was wheeled off in a stretcher after suffering a knee injury.

Marcio Lassiter led San Miguel with 22 points, while Arwind Santos added 15 markers and 19 rebounds. June Mar Fajardo still finished with 14 points and 12 boards.

Fajardo was wheeled off the floor with 7:11 left remaining in the third. He was then wheeled off the floor and brought to St. Lukes Medical Center in Taguig.

"Sad of what happened to June Mar," said SMB head coach Leo Austria. "When June Mar got hurt, everybody stepped up. Di tulad nung first half parang walang energy."

The Elasto Painters leaned on a 30-18 blast in the second to establish a 46-37 edge at the half, but the Beermen bit back, outscoring Rain or Shine 33-17 in the third to have a seven-point lead heading into the final frame, 70-63.

"June Mar is in the hospital right now, ini-schedule for MRI," Austria added. "I hope it's nothing serious."

San Miguel bumped the lead up to 10 heading into the final three minutes, but Rain or Shine went on an 8-2 run to cut the lead to just four in the final 31 seconds of the game.

Chris Ross then earned a trip to the line where he made two, while a Jeff Chan missed trey and a Jericho Cruz tirnover led to a quick make by Marcio Lassiter to put the game away.

Beau Belga paced Rain or Shine with 16 points and 11 boards, while Jewel Ponferada and Gabe Norwood had 14 each. Jeff Chan and Jireh Ibanes added 11 and 10 points, respectively. — APG, GMA News