#PBA2016 Philippine Cup Semifinals Roundup: January 15, 2016

The San Miguel Beermen bucked a scary-as-hell injury to reigning MVP June Mar Fajardo to prevail in their 2015-2016 PBA Philippine Cup semifinal series against Rain or Shine, 90-82. The Beermen unloaded a big third quarter run after Fajardo went down with an apparrent knee injury and successfully kept the Painters at bay. Now SMB will have a chance to defend their title against the team they beat in seven grueling games last year, the Alaska Aces.

Marcio Lassiter stepped up in Game 6 to help carry SMB past ROS.
(image from the PBA/Inquirer)

Game Capsules (adapted from Interaksyon): 

SAN MIGUEL BEERMEN over RAIN OR SHINE ELASTO-PAINTERS, 90-82
Box Scores.

The San Miguel Beermen lost reigning back-to-back MVP June Mar Fajardo to injury in the third quarter, but they still had enough to close out Rain or Shine, 90-82, in Game 6 to advance to the SMART BRO PBA Philippine Cup finals on Friday at the SMART-Araneta Coliseum.

ROS 82 SMB 90 final/score Beermen wins series 4-2 #bayanngros #rosvssmb #rosfam #game6 #semifinals

A photo posted by Rain or Shine ElastoPainters (@bayanngros) on Jan 15, 2016 at 5:36am PST

June Mar Fajardo exited the game at the 7:11 mark of the third quarter with 14 points and 12 rebounds, but San Miguel found plenty of heroes willing to step up in his absence.

Marcio Lassiter finished with 22 points, while Arwind Santos had 15 points and 19 big rebounds to lead the Beermen back to the championship round.

The Elasto Painters led by as many as 15 in the first half, although they led by just nine, 46-37, at the break.

Disaster struck for the Beermen in the third quarter when Fajardo received a hard bump to the lower body from Rain or Shine’s Jireh Ibanes, causing him to collapse onto the floor clutching his left knee.

Junemar is holding on to his left knee after Jireh tried to box him out. pic.twitter.com/6vXWObIdMz

— Kim Castro (@kimkarlocastro) January 15, 2016

He needed to be stretchered off the floor at the 7:11 mark of the third. As of this writing, the reigning MVP was taken to hospital for an MRI.

#PrayForJunemar pic.twitter.com/FPnWGoFNEU

— FOXSports.PH (@FOXSportsdotph) January 15, 2016

Beau Belga paced ROS with 16 points and 11 rebounds, while Jewel Ponferada and Gabe Norwood each tallied 14 markers.

Lines of the Game: 
Arwind Santos (SMB) - 15pts, 19rebs, 2asts, 2blks, 3 triples.
Beau Belga (ROS) - 16pts, 11rebs, 1ast, 1stl, 1blk, 5/7 FGs.


HIGHLIGHTS:

(image from InterAksyon)

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