COLUMN: THANKS TO MORE REST, SAN MIGUEL GOT TO RELEASE THE 'KRAKEN'
DALLAS -- A well-rested June Mar Fajardo translated into a highly efficient and more lethal version of the seven-time PBA MVP.
That was the biggest takeaway from San Miguel's 111-101 series-tying win over Meralco in Game Four of the best-of-seven Philippine Cup finals last Wednesday at the Big Dome.
Reducing June Mar's playing time wasn't about complex analytics, just old-fashioned common sense which proved that less work can yield more productivity.
PHOTO: Jerome Ascano
After logging an average of 41 minutes and 28 seconds per in the last three games, San Miguel coach Jorge Gallent trimmed JMF's action to a less tedious 37:04.
THE RESULTS WERE INDISPUTABLE.
Fajardo tallied 28 points and 13 rebounds while shooting 64 percent from the field (9-of-14) and 83.3 percent from the free throw line.
In Games One through Three, Fajardo averaged only 17.3 points and 11.6 rebounds an outing. He also shot a comparably low 57.6 percent from the field (15-of-26) and was a dreadful 64.7 percent from the free throw line (22 of 24).
Fielding Vic Manuel and Terrence Romeo also helped San Miguel's cause as both veterans combined for 15 points, 3 rebounds and 4 assists. Marcio Lassiter, shooting his mind off in this series, chipped in 18 points on 4-of-6 conversion from 3.
All of the above factors allowed the Beermen to survive a career-high 40-point assault from sizzling Bolt Chris Newsome.
Chris Banchero turned in 21 points and 4 dimes for Meralco while Cliff Hodge chipped in 17 points and 10 boards. But Bong Quinto, Raymond Almazan, Antonio Caram and Allein Maliksi combined for only 17 points while missing 20 of 26 shots.
MERALCO BROWNOUT.
In other words, the core guys had an abundant supply of power while the reserves sustained a shortage.
Obviously, the Bolts need their "other guys" to deliver especially against a zone defense that allowed San Miguel to win the scoring battle in the paint (52-48) while limiting Meralco's edge in rebounding to a more manageable 45-42.
To dent San Miguel's zone, Meralco needs to shoot better than a yucky 30-of-24 fare from 3.
As for San Miguel, keeping Fajardo fresh is paramount to a healthy harvest.
And I won't be surprised if Gallent doubles down in Game Five and start with a gigantic line-up of Mo Tautuaa, JMF, Vic Manuel, Mario Lassiter and C.J Perez.
It'd be interesting to see how the formidable Nenad Vucenic-Luigi Trillo coaching brain thrust at Meralco would react to a super-sized opposing frontline.
The plot thickens. The chess match continues.
It's been a great Finals thus far.
What a treat.
2024-06-14T10:14:25Z dg43tfdfdgfd