June Mar Fajardo drops 33 as San Miguel dominates TNT for 2-1 lead in finals

June Mar Fajardo dropped 33 points to tow San Miguel past TNT, 108-88, in Game 3 of the PBA Philippine Cup Finals on Friday at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.

With the win, the Beermen took a 2-1 lead in the series.

After a tight opening frame which went in TNT's favor, 25-22, the Beermen managed to come back and outscored the Tropang 5G in the second quarter, 37-27, behind Fajardo's 12 points in the said period alone.

The Beermen continued to hold off TNT despite the latter's attempt in the fourth period where the Tropang 5G inched closer, 90-83, before San Miguel made a 7-0 run to claim a 97-83 lead. Almond Vosotros then drilled a triple to put them at trim the deficit, but Fajardo eventually made a basket to further widen the gap.

Brandon Ganuelas-Rosser then put TNT at 88 before the Beermen made a 9-0 run to seal the victory.

"The experience of the players [mattered] dahil alam nilang fourth quarter is pivotal and the killer instinct of the players, especially June Mar Fajardo and Chris Ross -- they know how to handle the finals," San Miguel head coach Leo Austria said.

"Everybody was inspired with what these two guys are doing on the court, not only in scoring but also in defending."

“Everybody wants to win,” head coach Leo Austria said about his San Miguel squad as the Beermen defeated TNT, 108-88, in Game 3 of the PBA Philippine Cup Finals.

San Miguel leads the best-of-seven series, 2-1. @gmasportsph pic.twitter.com/BpzibzRyYq

— JK Carandang (@jk_carandang) July 18, 2025

Aside from Fajardo's explosive outing, the 8-time Most Valuable Player also had 11 rebounds, three assists, a steal, and a block, while Chris Ross had 15 points, six boards, and a steal.

RR Pogoy led TNT with 16 points, while Calvin Oftana had 15 points.

Scores:

San Miguel 108 – Fajardo 33, Ross 15, Cruz 13, Perez 12, Trollano 10, Tautuaa 9, Lassiter 6, Brondial 6, Rosales 2, Teng 2, Tiongson 0, Calma 0.

TNT 88 – Pogoy 16, Oftana 15, Vosotros 14, Khobuntin 13, Williams 11, Heading 10, Ganuelas-Rosser 3, Enciso 3, Galinato 3, Heruela 0, Variila 0, Aurin 0.

Quarters: 22-25, 59-52, 86-70, 108-88.

—JKC, GMA Integrated News