San Miguel Beermen center Mo Tautuaa during the PBA Philippine Cup semifinals against Barangay Ginebra Gin Kings. –MARLO CUETO/INQUirer.net
MANILA, Philippines—San Miguel Beer had quite the problem heading into Game 2 of the PBA Philippine Cup semifinals against Ginebra with June Mar Fajardo hobbled by injury.
Fortunately, the Beermen have someone to fill that hole in the form of Mo Tautuaa.
READ: PBA: San Miguel gets back at Ginebra to tie semis at 1-1
On Friday at Ninoy Aquino Stadium, San Miguel Beer won convincingly over the Gin Kings, 100-83, and the Beermen did it with a listless Fajardo.
On Friday at Ninoy Aquino Stadium, San Miguel won convincingly over the Gin Kings, 100-83, and did it with a listless Fajardo.
June Mar Fajardo during the PBA Philippine Cup semifinals between San Miguel Beermen and Barangay Ginebra Gin Kings. –MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.net
Fajardo played limited minutes off the bench due to an ailing calf, but it certainly didn’t look that way in the Beermen’s bounce-back performance.
READ: PBA: Ginebra exploits limping June Mar Fajardo in Game 1 win
A big reason why San Miguel tied the series at one game apiece was Tautuaa, who stepped into the starting center role seamlessly.
“It’s a team game and we all need to step up. Tonight, I needed to step up because June was almost out, and I’ve been here before,” said Tautuaa. “Whether it be with San Miguel or another team, I’ve been a starter before, so I just recalled that and made sure to take care of my job.”
Tautuaa finished with a double-double of 10 points and 10 rebounds in 28 minutes of action—this after going scoreless in Game 1.
He served as San Miguel’s anchor in the paint in lieu of Fajardo, who managed just two points and seven rebounds.
With Fajardo still doubtful to be at a hundred percent in Game 3, Tautuaa is once again expected to fill the void.
“Just like any other game, it’ll be us against them,” he said. “I’ll make sure to stay within and play my role to play team basketball.”
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The Beermen and Tautuaa shoot for an important 2-1 lead on Sunday at Araneta Coliseum.
