San Miguel Beer defeated TNT for the second straight time, 108-88, to take a 2-1 lead in the PBA Philippine Cup Finals on Friday at Smart Araneta Coliseum.

June Mar Fajardo’s 33 points helped instigate the Beermen to victory over a Tropang 5G side that was forced to play minus Poy Erram due to an ankle injury sustained in Game 2.

HIGHLIGHTS: PBA Philippine Cup Finals Game 3 – TNT vs San Miguel

The Beermen also leaned on a four-point shot by CJ Perez to end the second quarter before taking control following the break with usual suspects Chris Ross, Jericho Cruz, Don Trollano and Mo Tautuaa.

Ross scored all 15 in the second half, Cruz scored 13 while Trollano and Tautuaa had 10 and nine, respectively, for San Miguel.

TNT fell behind for the first time in the championship, with Erram forced to watch on the sidelines wearing a protective boot after twisting his ankle the last time.

RR Pogoy and Calvin Oftana had 16 and 15 points for the Tropang 5G, who will try to avoid falling to a 3-1 hole on Sunday at SM Mall of Asia Arena.

Seldom-used Almond Vosotros, who finished with 14 points, sparked a rally in the fourth with his outside shooting as TNT fell behind by seven twice before San Miguel broke loose yet again.

It ended as another disappointing night for the Tropang 5G, who were actually in the thick of the fight and led 47-42 with Kelly Williams also key. But the Beermen countered to lead 59-52 at the half as Perez, who had 12, knocked down a quadruple shot that proved to be key.