MANILA, Philippines – The one-two punch of EJ Anosike and June Mar Fajardo proved insufficient as San Miguel dropped its opener in the East Asia Super League at home to the visiting Suwon KT Sonicboom.
Anosike and Fajardo combined for 53 points, but they lacked help from the rest of the Beermen and saw the Korean Basketball League finalist escape with an 87-81 victory at the Mall of Asia Arena on Wednesday, October 2.
Rayshaun Hammonds dominated with 39 points, 14 rebounds, and 2 steals, showing the way in a pivotal fourth-quarter run that allowed the Sonicboom to pull away.
San Miguel inched within 75-78 after a putback by Fajardo with five minutes left before Suwon unleashed a 9-0 blitz — with 6 points coming from Hammonds — to build a comfortable 87-75 cushion.
That double-digit lead ended up being enough buffer for the Sonicboom to clinch the win as the Beermen ran out of time in their comeback bid.
Anosike finished with 34 points, 7 rebounds, 4 assists, and 3 steals against his first professional team, while Fajardo posted 19 points and 9 rebounds.
No other San Miguel player scored in double figures as import Quincy Miller got limited to 8 points on a paltry 2-of-12 shooting to go with 5 rebounds, 3 assists, and 3 blocks in 30 minutes.
Marcio Lassiter and CJ Perez added 8 and 7 points, respectively, in the loss.
Heo Hoon backstopped Hammonds with 17 points, 9 assists, and 3 steals, while Han Huiwon added 14 points for Suwon, which gain an early lead in Group A.
The Sonicboom, the former team of Filipino standout Dave Ildefonso, fell short of the KBL crown last season after bowing to the Busan KCC Egis.
The Scores
Suwon 87 – Hammonds 39, Heo, 17, Han 14, Ha 9, Tilmon Jr. 8, Moon S. 0, Choi 0, Lee 0, Moon J. 0, Park 0, Ko 0.
San Miguel 81 – Anosike 34, Fajardo 19, Miller 8, Lassiter 8, Perez 7, Rosales 3, Trollano 2, Tautuaa 0, Ross 0, Cruz 0.
Quarters: 23-20, 39-43, 68-62, 87-81.
– Rappler.com
