SMB loses in ABL debut

Sunday, January 15, 2012

CEBUANO beanpole Junemar Fajardo had an edgy performance in his debut in San Miguel Beer’s 83-77 loss to the Westport Malaysia Dragons in the Asean Basketball League in Malaysia.

In one sequence, Fajardo seemed a non-factor, then became a morale-booster, but capped his game with turnovers and missed free throws as the Beermen lost to the home team in overtime.

Have something to report? Tell us in text, photos or videos.

Coming off the bench, Fajardo entered the game at the 4:24 mark of the first quarter and had a foul, a dunk, an assist, a three-second violation, an offensive rebound and a block before going out at 5:01 of the second period. Fajardo eventually finished

with eight points, seven rebounds, and two blocks, but had three turnovers. At this point, SMB had a smooth sailing and was leading by 42-35 at the end of the
first half.

A triple by import Richard Jeter early in the third period gave the Beermen their biggest lead at 45-35.

But SMB didn’t stay in the lead for long as the Dragons leaned on former PBA import Tiras Wade and ex-PBA players Nic Belasco and Chris Pacana.

Wade scored 13 in the Dragons’ 21-5 run that was highlighted by a four-minute scoring drought of the Beermen.

However, as Westport enjoyed a 56-50 lead, the former University of Cebu center sparked life to the Beermen with his second dunk at 2:12 of the third to end the scoring drought by the Filipinos.

Fajardo then sank a short jumper to give the lead back to SMB, 57-56, 45 seconds later but the glory was quickly stolen by another Cebuano player, Patrick Cabahug, who played as the other Pinoy import for the Ariel Vanguardia-mentored Dragons.