June Mar thrills for 35 as San Miguel downs TNT to reach semis

The San Miguel Beermen rode June Mar Fajardo for 35 points and 11 boards en route to a 106-93 victory against the TNT KaTropa to reach the semifinals of the 2018 PBA Philippine Cup.

Only four points separated the two teams heading into the final 2:31 of the game after Anthony Semerad converted on a lay up, 94-90, but San Miguel countered with their 6-0 run to stretch the lead to 10 with 80 seconds to go.

TNT never recovered, as Jericho Cruz committed an unsportsmanlike foul that led to four straight charities for the Beermen, enough to put the game away.

Marcio Lassiter added 20 points for the San Miguel, while Arwind Santos and Chris Ross chipped in 15 and 13 points, respectively.

San Miguel shot a high 54 percent from the field, eclipsing TNT’s 46 percent performance. They also shot 10 more from the stripe, 15-5.

It was a balanced attack for TNT, with five players scoring in double figures.  Jayson Castro and Troy Rosario tallied 19 points each, while RR Pogoy scored 17 of his team’s 24 bench points.

Kelly Williams and Anthony Semerad, meanwhile, combined for 31 as starters. — BAP, GMA News