In a stunning display of skill and determination, Rodney Brondial stepped up in the absence of June Mar Fajardo. He delivered an impressive performance, leading the San Miguel Beermen to an 87-75 triumph over the NorthPort Batang Pier in a thrilling PBA On Tour matchup at the Caloocan Sports Complex on May 27.
Brondial, seizing the opportunity to shine, put up numbers reminiscent of the legendary June Mar Fajardo, scoring 18 points and grabbing a whopping 21 rebounds, along with three assists. His exceptional contributions on both ends of the court earned him the well-deserved title of Player of the Game.
The 6-foot-6 forward made an incredible impact in the third quarter, scoring 11 of his 18 points and teaming up with Jericho Cruz to restore a double-digit lead for San Miguel. NorthPort had managed to slice the Beermen’s initial 20-point advantage down to a manageable five, but Brondial’s heroics halted their momentum.
Cruz, who led all scorers with 22 points, supported Brondial’s outstanding performance. Terrence Romeo made his presence felt, contributing 14 points, four rebounds, and three assists in significant playing time.
San Miguel had a well-rounded offensive attack, with Mo Tautuaa adding 11 points to the scoreboard. The team’s head coach, Jorge Gallent, must have been pleased with his players’ resilience and determination to bounce back after their opening loss to the Phoenix Fuel Masters.
Meanwhile, Paul Zamar and MJ Ayaay fought valiantly to keep the NorthPort Batang Pier in the game. Zamar, facing his former team, poured in 20 points, while Ayaay showcased his scoring prowess with 18 points on an efficient 7-of-12 shooting from the field. Unfortunately, their efforts fell short, and NorthPort suffered their second consecutive defeat in the PBA On Tour series.
The Batang Pier had a disastrous start, scoring only six points in the first canto, shooting an abysmal 3-of-25 from the field. However, they rallied back in the second quarter, driven by Ayaay’s explosive 14-point outburst. Despite their efforts, they could not overcome the Beermen’s lead, as Brondial and Cruz combined forces to extend San Miguel’s advantage to a more comfortable 13 points going into the final quarter.
San Miguel’s victory showcased their resilience and depth as different players stepped up without their injured star, Fajardo. With Brondial’s Fajardo-like numbers and the team’s collective efforts, the Beermen sent a clear message to the league that they remain a formidable force to be reckoned with.
This loss marked NorthPort’s second defeat in as many games in the PBA On Tour series, leaving them searching for answers to regain their winning form. Meanwhile, San Miguel Beer celebrated their bounce-back win, attributing their success to the outstanding performance of Rodney Brondial and the collective efforts of their roster.
The PBA On Tour continues to deliver thrilling basketball action, showcasing the best talents in the league as they compete in different venues nationwide. Fans can expect more exciting clashes and unforgettable moments as the tournament progresses.