PBA

Big men Tautuaa, Fajardo lead San Miguel rally vs Magnolia to get streak going

Big men Mo Tautaa and June Mar Fajrdo took turns to lead the San Miguel Beermen as they escaped Magnolia Chicken Timplados Hotshots, 87-81, to remain unbeaten in the 2022 PBA Philippine Cup on Friday.

Tautuaa provided the spark off the bench, finishing with a team-high 19 points, 15 of which he poured in the second half, to go along with five rebounds and two assists as the Beermen improved to a 3-0 start.

Fajardo, meanwhile, was also effective in their second half barrage, completing a 14-point output while also chipping in six boards, two dimes, and two blocks.

Trailing at the break, 35-42, SMB turned to Tautuaa who ignited their third quarter attack after the 6-foot-8 slotman steered a 12-5 run to tie things up at 47. They got their first lead of the game, 50-47, off a Tautaa basket before ending the third frame down by just three, 60-63.

Come payoff period, Fajardo came alive, drilling nine points as part of a 19-9 run to regain the lead, 79-72, with 3:38 left in the match. A split at the line by Fajardo made it an 85-81 affair for SMB before a CJ Perez dunk sealed the deal, 87-81.

Mark Barroca churned out 25 points, eight rebounds, seven assists, and four steals while Ian Sangalang had 16 markers, seven boards, and two blocks as Magnolia, last edition's runner-up, slid to 1-3.

—MGP, GMA News