JUNE Mar Fajardo eased fears of a back injury after San Miguel Beer’s bruising 100-86 victory over Alaska in Game Two of the PBA Philippine Cup Finals on Friday night. The Beermen’s superstar slotman held his back as he was accompanied to the dugout in the waning seconds of the blowout victory after a collision with Alaska forward Calvin Abueva late in the fourth quarter. But Fajardo assured it was nothing serious.
“Wala, okay lang,” he said. “Pini-pimple lang ako,” he added, drawing laughter from his interviewers. However, the 6-10 reigning MVP said he is hoping Game Three on Sunday will be less physical as the Beermen shoot for the lead in the best-of-seven series. “Sana next game ganun (panalo) pa rin, pero less physical na,” the Cebuano big man admitted.
“Ang gulo kanina eh, parang nasa riot, parang hindi na basketball eh. “Pero wala tayong magawa eh. Ganun talaga ang Finals: walang madali.” Still, they won’t back down in case the physicality continues. “Basta kami hindi naman kami magpapatalo eh,” Fajardo said.
“Pero sana hindi na umabot sa nag-susuntukan na o may ma-injury.” Throwing his weight around the paint, Fajardo unintentionally hit good friend and fellow Cebuano Dondon Hontiveros with an elbow to the rib cage in the fourth quarter. “Nag-gui-guilty nga ako eh,” he said with a smile. “Hindi ko naman gawain yun.”
Compared to the opener, Fajardo had better looks in the paint that translated into making all but two of his eight shots for a total of 15 points, on top of 12 boards, and three blocks in 35 minutes. “Kasi fino-front nila ako eh, so dapat itulak ko sila pataas para may space ako.”
source:
pbafanatics
