Cebuano Fajardo keys Petron’s seventh straight victory

PETRON built just enough cushion to ward off Meralco’s endgame comeback as the Boosters stayed unbeaten with a 77-73 victory over the Bolts yesterday in the 39th PBA Philippine Cup in Dipolog City.

The Boosters pulled away in the third quarter but had to survive the Bolts’ spirited rally in the fourth to list their seventh straight victory in as many games for the number one spot in the team standings.

Alex Cabagnot had another strong showing in his second game back from injury, pacing the Boosters with 17 markers.

Cebuano center Junemar Fajardo tallied his conference-leading seventh straight double-double performance with 12 points and 19 rebounds. The former University of Cebu star, who was named the Best Player of the Game yesterday, also had three blocked shots.

John Wilson led Meralco with 16 markers and teamed with Reynel Hugnatan in the team’s endgame charge.

Meralco led at the turn, 37-34, but Petron went on a major tear to take a 64-53 advantage with one quarter to play.

The Boosters started the fourth with six unanswered points to post their biggest lead at 70-53. Meralco’s Rabeh Al-Hussaini pushed the Bolts to within 56-70 but Petron matched its largest lead when Marcio Lassiter sank a three-pointer, making it 73-56 with 8:12 to go.

Meralco’s Hugnatan scored eight points in a 9-0 blitz that cut Petron’s lead to 65-73.

But the final score was the closest the Bolts could get as they slid to 3-4 (win-loss).

Meanwhile, the league won’t have its usual Sunday double-header as action resumes Tuesday at the Araneta Coliseum./Editorial assistant calvin d. cordova