Fajardo, Cruz drop 30 apiece as San Miguel halts TNT's 5-game win streak

San Miguel Beermen halted TNT Tropang Giga's five-game winning streak with a 115-99 victory at the 2022 PBA Philippine Cup on Thursday at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.

June Mar Fajardo and Jericho Cruz both exploded for 30 points to pace the Beermen, while Simon Enciso added 16 points. CJ Perez and Rodney Brondial also scored 12 points apiece.

Brondial also grabbed 18 rebounds and Fajardo had 16 boards while Perez had 10 assists.

Seven players scored in double digits for Tropang Giga, but their efforts fell short against San Miguel's firepower. Kelly Williams led the charge with 20 points while Jayson Castro had 17.

TNT had an early 11-6 lead in the opening quarter, but SMB went on a 14-0 run to turn the tables and keep the lead for the good.

San Miguel led by as many as 19 points while shooting 45% from beyond the arc, while TNT struggled from long distance with only 24% on threes.

With the win, SMB improved its record to 7-1 for the top spot while TNT dropped to fourth place with a 7-3 card.

The Beermen will next face Blackwater Bossing on Sunday while TNT will face Barangay Ginebra Gin Kings on the same day.

The Scores:

SMB - Fajardo 30, Cruz 30, Enciso 16, Perez 12, Brondial 12, Herndon 5, Tautuaa 5, Lassiter 3, Zamar 2, Pessumal 0, Canete 0, Faundo 0.

TNT - K. Williams 20, Castro 17, Montalbo 12, Erram 12, M. Williams 11, Ganuelas-Rosser 10, Tuncab 3, Alejandro 3, Khobuntin 0, Marcelo 0, Cruz 0.

Quarter scores: 26-22, 53-47, 83-71, 115-99.

—MGP, GMA News