SMB turns back streaking Blackwater in OT, snags fifth win in a row

San Miguel held on in overtime as they turned back a gritty Blackwater side, 110-107, to extend its winning streak to five in the 2022 PBA Philippine Cup on Sunday at the Araneta Coliseum.

Big man June Far Fajardo once again starred for the Beermen, pouring in a monster double-double of 25 points, including six in the extra period, and 18 rebounds to go along with three assists, three steals, and one block.

Jericho Cruz was also a key cog with his 25-point outing as SMB improved to 8-1 while Blackwater had its four-game winning streak snapped to go down to 5-2.

Baser Amer had two opportunities to save the day anew, giving Blackwater a slim 97-95 lead with barely a minute left in the regular period. But Cruz' jumper tied it all up again at 97 before Amer missed a layup that could have given the Bossing the win as the game went into overtime.

Blackwater also had to erase a 21-point deficit, 86-65, after they outscored the Beermen in the fourth period, 32 to 15, with Rashawn Mccarthy and Rey Suerte leading the rally.

But Fajardo led SMB in overtime, completing his two free throws for a 106-101 lead before Amer fired a triple that trimmed Blackwater's deficit to just two, 106-104, with 43 ticks left.

Fajardo then went steady on the charity stripes, shooting both his freebies en route to the victory.

—JMB, GMA News