June Mar Fajardo and EJ Anosike led a series-tying charge in Game 4, and it was backed up by a s Can they keep it up?

The San Miguel Beermen tied the series with a monstrous performance from June Mar Fajardo and a scattered contribution from everyone. Can they keep it up?

Catch the game this Friday, October 18th, at 5:00 PM, Manila time.

San Miguel Beermen (2-2)

Projected starting five:

  • Jericho Cruz
  • CJ Perez
  • EJ Anosike
  • Marcio Lassiter
  • June Mar Fajardo

SMB outlasted Ginebra in an offensive showdown in Game 4, 131-125. The Beermen shot 54.4% from the floor, including 13-of-30 from beyond the arc, and dished out 28 assists. They also had six guys reach double figures.

With pressure and fatigue mounting, June Mar Fajardo rose to the occasion and put up another classic performance, unleashing 29 points and 16 rebounds on 12-of-15 shooting. It paired perfectly with EJ Anosike’s 27 points and 11 boards. JMF has been up-and-down in the series, though, so he should look hard on bringing it again.

Fajardo and Anosike’s solid outings were also heightened as CJ Perez, Marcio Lassiter, Don Trollano, and Terrence Romeo all contributed nicely and collectively sank 10 treys. Perez had 20 points, six rebounds, seven assists, and a pair of steals, while Trollano made six of his eight shots for 15 points.

The question now is if can they do it consecutively with how banged up they are?

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Barangay Ginebra San Miguel (2-2)

Projected starting five:

  • Scottie Thompson
  • Maverick Ahanmisi
  • Stephen Holt
  • Justin Brownlee
  • Japeth Aguilar

Ginebra failed to capitalize on a good opportunity, and it’s back to square one. What’s worse is the locals squandered Justin Brownlee’s huge, 49-point explosion on an efficient 20-of-26 shooting.

The rest combined to shoot a horrid 23-of-61 (37.7%) from the floor. No.  2 scorer Japeth Aguilar was 3-of-8 for 12 points across 24 minutes of action, while 6’4 Stephen Holt tallied 15 of his 17 points through the three-point line and only grabbed three rebounds. Maverick Ahanmisi, who’s been lukewarm at best, could only tally five points in 32 minutes.

Rookie RJ Abarrientos (11 pts, 4 ast) and former PBA MVP Scottie Thompson (15 pts, 8 ast) both had serviceable outings in Game 4, especially the latter. However, it’s clear that the locals have to step up considerably, and they shouldn’t need Brownlee to put up 40-something points just to barely be on pace with SMB and end up with an L.

The Gin Kings are going in and out of a funk. Maybe they’re out of it in Game 5?

PICKS:

Spread: Ginebra (-2)

Over/Under: 217.5

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