NAPIKON SI JUNE MAR FAJARDO! Uminit ang SMB sa 4th Quarter! Muntik pang Mag-Choke ang Northport!

June Mar Fajardo to the Rescue! SMB Heats Up in the 4th Quarter as NorthPort Almost Chokes

It was a clash that felt more like a blockbuster movie than a basketball game. The San Miguel Beermen, led by their towering talisman June Mar Fajardo, squared off against the gritty NorthPort Batang Pier in a game that had more plot twists than a suspense thriller.

The Setup: A Tightrope Battle

From the opening tip-off, both teams showcased their strengths. NorthPort came out guns blazing, with Robert Bolick orchestrating their offense like a maestro and Kevin Ferrer lighting up the perimeter. On the other side, SMB’s vaunted roster struggled to find their groove. Their usual fluid offense seemed clogged, and the once-imposing defense had cracks wide enough to worry their fans.

By halftime, NorthPort held a slim but significant lead. The Batang Pier faithful started to dream of an upset while the Beermen supporters anxiously chewed on their nails, wondering if their team had finally met its match.

The Third Quarter: A Glimpse of Hope

The Beermen tried to inch closer in the third, with CJ Perez and Marcio Lassiter finding ways to chip away at NorthPort’s lead. But just as SMB built momentum, NorthPort countered with a barrage of three-pointers and second-chance points. For every bucket Fajardo made, NorthPort answered back with sheer determination.

The quarter ended with NorthPort holding a 10-point lead. It wasn’t insurmountable, but the Beermen knew they were running out of time.

The Fourth Quarter: Fajardo Takes Over

And then, the fourth quarter happened.

Like a storm brewing on the horizon, June Mar Fajardo emerged, imposing his will on the game. With every possession, he bullied his way into the paint, scoring on putbacks, soft hooks, and and-ones that sent the crowd into a frenzy. The “Kraken” was unstoppable, and suddenly, NorthPort’s lead started to evaporate.

But the Batang Pier weren’t going down without a fight. With two minutes left, they still clung to a precarious 4-point advantage. Unfortunately for NorthPort, their composure crumbled under pressure. A crucial turnover here, a missed free throw there, and the Beermen pounced on every mistake.

Perez nailed a clutch three-pointer, tying the game, and on the next possession, Fajardo drew a foul and calmly sank both free throws to give SMB the lead.

The Final Whistle: Lessons Learned

The game ended 98-94, with SMB completing a remarkable comeback. Fajardo finished with a monster double-double, while NorthPort left the court with heads bowed, wondering how they let the game slip away.

As the final buzzer echoed through the arena, fans were reminded why the Beermen remain the PBA’s ultimate powerhouse. And as for NorthPort? They learned the hard way: when June Mar Fajardo gets going, no lead is safe.

Did SMB almost stumble? Sure. But with Fajardo anchoring the team, they proved why legends are made in the clutch.