Bay Area rips June Mar Fajardo-less SMB for bounce back win

Andrew Nicholson exploded anew for Bay Area. Dennis Acosta

By Ivan Saldajeno

MANILA—Bay Area made San Miguel miss June Mar Fajardo a lot after drubbing them by 26 points, 113-87, in their PBA Commissioner's Cup showdown on Sunday night at the Smart Araneta Coliseum in Quezon City.

A week after suffering their first defeat at the hands of Barangay Ginebra, the Dragons made a living at the interior with Fajardo sidelined after undergoing surgery on his throat and pounced the hapless Beermen.

Andrew Nicholson fired 39 points, 12 rebounds, two assists, one block, and two steals for Bay Area, which moved up to 5-1.

Hayden Blankley added 17 points, nine rebounds, two assists, and two steals, while Liu Chuanxing chipped in a double-double of 12 points and 10 rebounds with two assists and two blocks.

CJ Perez made 19 points, nine rebounds, and six assists to lead SMB, which dropped to 1-2, while Diamond Stone was held to only 11 markers, although he had 14 boards, five dimes, one block, and one steal.

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