Jan Ballesteros 6y

Sans Fajardo, San Miguel dumps NLEX to open Governors' Cup campaign

Philippines Basketball

There's more to the San Miguel Beermen than June Mar Fajardo.

Playing without the reigning four-time MVP, the Beermen proved they can be just as deadly after clobbering NLEX, 125-112, in the 2018 PBA Governors' Cup on Saturday at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.

Thanks in large part to Christian Standhardinger and AZ Reid, San Miguel hardly missed the presence of its main superstar.

The Beermen seized control in the second period, kept the Road Warriors at bay before emerging victorious in a game.

Coming off a stint with the national team in the Asian Games, Standhardinger didn't show signs of fatigue as he dropped 36 points to go with 11 rebounds.

Not bad for someone who went straight to the venue from the airport. When he checked in in the second period, the Fil-German immediately made his presence felt and scored 15 of his total output as the Beermen took a 62-54 lead at intermission.

Reid also made a splash in his return in the PBA. The two-time Best Import fired 30 points on a 14-of-28 shooting clip to go with 13 rebounds and six assists.

Other locals also stepped up. Alex Cabagnot chimed in 23 points, six rebounds, nine assists, and two steals. Marcio Lassiter and Chris Ross had 14 and nine, respectively.

The win spoiled an explosive outing for NLEX import Aaron Fuller, who put up 36 points, 16 rebounds, and five assists for the Road Warriors, who dropped to 3-2.

Kenneth Ighalo and Michael Miranda combined for 32 markers and 13 boards. Mac Tallo and Bong Galanza had 11 points each.

THE SCORES

San Miguel 125 - Standhardinger 36, Reid 30, Cabagnot 23, Lassiter 14, Ross 9, Rosser 4, Heruela 4, Santos 3, Nabong 2, Pessumal 0, Vigil 0, Mamaril 0.

NLEX 112 - Fuller 36, Ighalo 16, Miranda 16, Tallo 11, Galanza 11, Fonacier 5, Tiongson 4, Mallari 4, Paniamogan 4, Quinahan 3, Marcelo 2, Soyud 0, Gotladera 0.

Quarterscores: 26-28, 62-54, 95-79, 125-112.

EXTRA DRIBBLES

Two-time Best Import Arizona Redi returned to the PBA for the Beermen, the team he led to the Governors' Cup title in 2015.

Christian Standhardinger followed up a 27-point and 15-rebound performance against Syria last night in the Asian Games.

With the PBA giving way for the fourth window of the FIBA world Cup qualifiers, NLEX will have a 25-day rest before plunging into action anew.

NEXT GAMES

San Miguel - vs Blackwater on September 5 at the Smart Araneta Coliseum

NLEX - vs Blackwater on September 26 at the Smart Araneta Coliseum

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