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SMB downs Columbian in high-scoring affair for third straight win

Junemar Fajardo put up dominating figures for the Beermen. PBA Media Bureau
By Ivan Saldajeno

QUEZON CITY--San Miguel held off a gritty Columbian side through a 129-117 beating in the PBA Commissioner's Cup at the Smart Araneta Coliseum on Wednesday night.

The Dyip stunned the Beermen with a fine start as they ended the first quarter ahead, 33-31.

SMB, however, went on a 38-22 second quarter to take a 69-55 halftime advantage.

Columbian still had something in its sleeves entering the third quarter, outscoring SMB, 31-14, in the early goings to retake the lead, 86-83.

The Beermen, however, ended the quarter on a 14-3 run to go up, 97-89, before finally breaking loose in the final frame through a 16-4 run midway through the said period.

Junemar Fajardo went 15-of-21 from the field for 37 points with 18 rebounds, two assists, and one block for SMB, which has now mounted a winning streak with its third straight victory.

Renaldo Balkman added 27 points, 18 rebounds, six assists, one block, and one steal.

Alex Cabagnot, on the other hand, logged in a triple-double with 20 points, 10 rebounds, and 10 assists with one steal, while Arwind Santos also had his own double-double with 18 points and 11 rebounds with two assists and two steals.

Reden Celda and John Fields each tallied 19 markers for Columbian, which fell to its third straight loss.

The scores:

San Miguel 129 - Fajardo 37, Balkman 27, Cabagnot 20, Santos 18, Ross 10, Lassiter 6, Mamaril 6, Pessumal 5, Rosser 0, Lanete 0, Vigil 0.

Columbian 117 - Fields 19, McCarthy 19, Celda 19, Ababou 14, Lastimosa 13, Camson 12, Khobuntin 9, Tubid 6, Escoto 6, Corpuz 0, Cabrera 0, Cahilig 0.

Quarters: 31-33, 69-55, 97-89, 129-117.

Follow him on Twitter: @IvanSaldajeno