The San Miguel Beermen dug deep to survive the Converge FiberXers, 103-99, and barge into the win column of the PBA Commissioner’s Cup on Wednesday, March 25, at the Ynares Center in Antipolo.

The Beermen broke a 99-all deadlock late in the fourth quarter en route to a slim four-point victory, bouncing back from a tough opener loss to the Titans and sending the FiberXers to their third straight loss.

June Mar Fajardo posted a double-double effort of 27 points and 17 rebounds alongside three assists and two steals, while CJ Perez and Don Trollano chipped in 24 and 18 markers apiece. Import Marcus Lee had an all-around outing of 10 points, 12 rebounds, and six assists.

Marcio Lassiter and Mikey Williams traded long buckets in the fourth quarter before June Mar Fajardo completed a three-point play that sent the Beermen to an 86-81 cushion.

Another Lassiter triple sent San Miguel to a 99-95 lead, but Alec Stockton responded with a huge four-point shot that tied things up at 99-all. Stockton, though, fouled Trollano, which allowed the latter to sink a pair of charities to give San Miguel a narrow 101-99 edge in the final 27 seconds.

Fajardo then put the finishing kick by knocking down an uncontested layup as Justine Baltazar’s desperate four-point attempt didn’t go in.

Baltazar top-scored Converge with 19 points while import Kylor Kelley had 12 markers and 20 rebounds as the FiberXers fell to their third loss in four games.

They previously bowed to the Terrafirma Dyip and the Meralco Bolts after opening their campaign with a resounding win over guest team Macau. (GMA Integrated News)

Caption

June Mar Fajardo posted a double-double effort of 27 points and 17 rebounds alongside three assists and two steals as the San Miguel Beermen dug deep to survive the Converge FiberXers in the PBA Commissioner’s Cup. (PBA Media photo)